Playing with Kitty at The Smithfield Tavern

Talk was fast and loose in the Twin and Tonic Cadillac as we journeyed from the T&T Boudoir to our latest musical excursion at The Smithfield Tavern in Farringdon. We understood that we would be sharing the stage with our friends Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer and Kitty Bang Bang (certain to be a pleasure), but it was a venue unheard of and previously untried. What was to be expected?

The late afternoon sun was certainly much appreciated by the city office workers gathered outside the smart looking venue to celebrate the end of the working week with a beverage or two. Tempted as were to join them, we needed to make haste and prepare our equipment for sound test.

The interior of The Smithfield Tavern was a simple delight. As smart as the outside, it managed to combine a sense of spaciousness with a sense of cosiness thanks to a combination of high ceiling, sloping eves, and tasteful decor. The long narrow bar culminated in a small performing area at the back where we were to play, alongside the house upright piano that was suffering slightly with a broken wheel and pedal and slight tuning deficiency. Although we were to be six this evening (Sam our guitarist was performing elsewhere), our well practised pragmatism and clear understanding of the principles of feng-shui enabled us to find a stage arrangement that was condusive to a good performance ahead.

Kitty Bang Bang graced the venue with her luminous presence as we rested before the first of our two twenty minute performances. She was to dance with us to the very appropriate Strip Polka, so talk was centred on the intimate details of this conjoining. We also had the pleasure of the service of a particularly friendly French member of the bar staff (forgive me for not knowing her name), who arranged for us to have drinks delivered to the stage and delicious sounding food prepared for the interval.

There was a slight concern as we took to the performance area that the sun outside might prove to be too much competition for our music inside, but it was proven not to be the case as the swinging sounds of our opening number, I Got Rhythm, flowed through the bar and teased the clientele to explore its origins.

There was a great sense of anticipation as Louise welcomed Kitty forward and Max played the opening notes of Strip Polka on his saxophone. Eyes bulged as Kitty danced on her toes in a gorgeous figure hugging golden dress, and must have been close to leaving their host bodies altogether as the garment was shed in perfect time to our music. The crowd whooped and cheered in appreciation as the song ended and we all left the stage, no doubt eager for our second set to commence.

Our French waitress had excelled herself by arranging not only food and beverages but a table outside for us, and no sooner had we sat down than our food had arrived- the chips of potato fried in duck fat proving to be a particular delight. We were joined by our photographer friend Mikael Jaegerjensen who had taken the time to come and see us having met us originally at the Blitz Party, and then again by chance at Claridges last week. Although not officially working, he was kindly taking pictures of the band on a curious red camera that resembled one of those wind-on photo viewers one used to use as a child.

Our second set was designed to be more up tempo to encourage more dancing, and it had the desired effect from the off. Alistaire and the delightful Dominique, proprietors of the establishment, showed everyone how to do it as they took centre stage whilst encouraging others to join in. The set was a riotous success and the crowd again enthusiastically showed their appreciation, this time accompanied by shouts of “encore!”. As not to disappoint, we allowed them one further indulgence as we performed Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Unusually for us these days we weren’t the headline act of the evening, but that honour couldn’t have fallen to a nicer fellow than our old friend Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. His set was enjoyed with the usual hilarity, my personal favourite being a song about Radio 1’s Tim “St John” Westward with a chorus starting “What ever happened to Timothy, I was at prep with him you see”. Jolly good!

Another gig over and another satisfied promoter and public. After performing four times in the last fortnight the Twin and Tonic Cadillac took us straight our renovated 1934 Sikorsky S-42 Clipper to fly us to our private island off the western peninsular. Don’t worry though, we’ll be back in good time for The Blitz Party on the 6th June. It’s a popular event so remember to purchase your tickets well in advance.

Cheerio!