The TG birthday ball has always been one of the high points of the fetish calendar and parties at the SE1 are generally a blast, so this was bound to be a winning combination.

The SE1 is a cavernous club situated under the arches of London Bridge station. This is the ideal venue for any party requiring lots of different areas without overlapping sound problems and there are 6 distinctly separate areas to play with.

As we wandered though this vast club, we encountered the “Peepshow installation” surrounded, appropriately, by peeping Toms and Tomasinas; next we encountered the extremely strange “Kamelyan – Skinphony”, a harp made up of a prostrate body, back pierced with meat hooks, strings attached (think leg of lamb at butchers!), to become a bloodied “instrument” for the enjoyment of the musician and audience. Not perhaps for the faint hearted.

There was other entertainment on offer, such as medical fetish performances by Mistress Olivia and E.Vie; various bondage demonstrations throughout the night; fire displays and tall stilt walkers. There were even fun fetish fashion shows in the main dance room (or I should say “Fashion Club Arena”), with designers such as Libidex, Northbound, Pretty Pervy, Jane Doe and of course TG Clothing, displaying their wares.

What makes TG rather different from other fetish/BDSM parties is that there is also emphasis on the music, performances, decoration and drama rather than merely focusing on the dungeon equipment in the play area. Although some of this may however be put down to the crowds. A couples’ area was also provided, just off the dungeon, although this was rather over-crowded due to its ideal chill out location and seating. This area was well monitored to prevent the voyeurism of the “wanky-man” syndrome!

For me, my favourite room was the “Opium Den Cabaret Ballroom”, a large area complete with a stage and numerous large round tables, around which we could sit, watch the proceedings and socialise. One of the highlights of the night for me was the wonderful “Dynamos Rhythm Aces”, a live swing band, performing classics such as Frankie goes to Hollywood’s “Relax”, in swing style complete with a double bass. This room was also host to fabulous burlesque cabaret performances from Masumi Max, Miss Lily White and Ryan Styles, whose act is a pure genius of mime.

The DJs in this area kept the tunes in line with the atmosphere and theme and we were entertained with energetic polkas, jives, rock n roll and an assortment of other eclectic beats in keeping with the lounge lizard style. I’m sure I saw Elvis, sporting an incredible quiff, jiving the night away with Marilyn Munroe.

The audience as usual were dressed to impress. The costumes were fetish, burlesque, outlandish, but never boring. There were latex clad lads and lassies, doctors, nurses and surgeons in gowns; geisha girls (and boys), animals and beasts, Indian princes, dandies and fops and so much more. Guys and girls in top hats abounded as did those wearing feathers and veils. Wigs and false eyelashes were certainly the order of the night, and that was just the chaps!

All in all, Torture Garden sure knows how to throw a party. Wow, what a wonderful night.

©Mistress Eli

Torture Garden