Drag Queen Dance Class at Floridita

When it comes to exercise classes I have all the co-ordination of Dads Army’s Corporal Jones. So the prospect of being showed the latest moves by a dance troupe of drag queens, whose legs are roughly the same length as my entire body, fills me with no small amount of dread.

Booze is my usual choice method of public embarrassment. But tonight I’ve chosen drag queen dance classes with the fabulous Globe Girls at Cabaret Floridita.

Luckily for me, we’re greeted with a mojito to kick the evening off, with the Globe Girls emerging as otherworldly sequined giantesses ready to impart their knowledge on how to get that perfect Diva Walk. A quick change of shoes is required here, as the first rule of Drag Club is strictly: no flats allowed.

‘Now take what you have and just stretch it that bit more. Believe it or not I don’t walk like this when I go into Sainsbury’s,’ instructs one of the girls after my rather self-conscious diva shuffling attempts. ‘In real life I’m a shy and retiring man, but when I’m on stage in the outfit and with the make-up on I’m something else!’

To call the evening an exercise class is slightly misleading; it’d be more accurately described as a series of visual treats – the centrepiece being a phenomenal drag-alicious performance of All the Single Ladies. The rendition proves the Globe Girls’ well-deserved acclaim, having danced in front of such illuminates as Elton John, Prince Edward and (whisper your hushed respect) the Queen of Pop herself: Beyonce.

Some clumsy wobbling and plenty of giggling follows as we’re taught a couple of the same moves before Gladiator’s Tornado (Or ‘Torpedo’ as one of the Globe Girls nicknames him) appears wearing the tiniest pair of shorts I’ve ever seen and gives us some fitness advice. He mentions something about eating grapefruits and we do a couple of squat thrusts, but I suspect Tornado’s main reason for being here is to look ripped in his minuscule pants.

And if that isn’t enough adornment for the eyes, we have the gorgeously chiselled Peter, sporting nothing but a pair of sparkly leggings and torso you could crack an egg with, on hand to offer us non-alcoholic cocktails for refreshment half way through the ‘work out’. For the rest of the time Peter’s main job is to sit and look beautiful.

After the class we go down to the club and enjoy an evening of top-notch cabaret with singer Rachael Wooding, burlesque performer Sophia St Villier, and more dancing from the girls with plenty of athletics, sequins, and humour in equal measure.

At £25 a lesson (£55 with the three-course Cuban meal thrown in) this evening is probably more of a one-off than a regular exercise class – perfect for a hen night, in fact.

Probably the most fun I’ve had wearing heels in a long time. A night guaranteed to help you connect with your inner drag queen – which – let’s face it, girls – we could all benefit from doing occasionally.

The next drag queen dance class is scheduled for 15 February, 2012, at:

Floridita
100 Wardour Street
Soho
W1F 0TN

Tel: 020 7314 4028