Marie Crisis is Popping Up in Marble Arch

Marie Crisis

We love a pop up here at QX. Especially one that is synonymous with showbiz; because it means we get to throw our heads back and say ‘dear’ even more dramatically. So obvs we’re excited about New York’s iconic Marie’s Crisis coming to London for five nights only. Jason Reid found out more from Ray Rackham – the man behind the temporary transfer…

How would you sum up Marie’s Crisis in a sentence?

It’s an innately theatrical, devillishly fun, communal singing experience… with booze!

Why the temporary transfer to London, and specifically the City of Quebec? 

Marie’s Crisis Cafe is an institution in New York’s West Village; the actual cafe has stood on the site since at least the 1920s. For at least the last four decades it has been an almost exclusively show tune singalong piano bar. The bar, the building, the institution that Marie’s has become meant I had to find somewhere that replicated that history. Finding the basement bar of the City of Quebec, London’s oldest LGBTQ bar, and learning that there was appetite to host a Marie’s pop-up, seemed to make sense. It’s the right amount of history, and in a perfect location.

We hear it’s practically sold out. You must be really pleased with the response? 

The response has been phenomenal and a mixture of people who are genuinely interested in seeing what all the fuss is about, together with die-hard fans. What has been absolutely lovely is reading the stories of those who have been to Marie’s Crisis Cafe, and are coming along to relive that experience. I think learning that the entertainers of the New York bar are visiting London for the pop-up is absolutely what is getting people excited. These guys are masters of the piano bar craft. 

If people still want to come along, can they just pitch up on the night? 

Yes, absolutely! There’ll be a queuing system and people will be able to use the upstairs bar, complete with pianists and singing bar staff, while waiting to join the singalong in the downstairs club.

Give us an exclusive! Who’s gonna be dropping by? Patti Lupone is in town…

Who knows? The bar in Manhattan has welcomed everyone from Glee’s Darren Criss to Mike Myers, over the years. There will undoubtedly be familiar faces joining in. And, should Ms LuPone decide to pop along, I’ve a feeling she would get quite a reception! 

Marie’s Crisis London is open from Tuesday 30 October – Sat 3 November at 12 Old Quebec St, Marylebone, London W1H 7AF

READ MORE:

QX Preview: City of Quebec

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