The Limelight Club - not what I expected

[Interestedcruisefan]

We paid to dine in the Limelight Club in August on Britannia. It was the Eric and Ernie Tribute. They were great the food was good and service good as well.

 

But thats where my praise stops. 

 

A cabaret restaurant with a stage and great entertainment alongside a meal is a great concept but that's not what we experienced.

 

We were all basically served our meals,  then a fifteen minute break then we watched the show. Rather than being entertained whilst we dined

 

I understand certain acts won't work well with people eating and food and drink being served whilst they perform. No problem with that at all. But if I go for a cabaret dinner anywhere else there is always multiple entertainment during and after the meal

 

Maybe a musician and/or a  background singer, dancers, table magician etc etc before a main act . Normally followed by a disco (not that I'm bothered about the disco bit)

 

And on a cruise there's plenty of entertainers on board to at least do a couple of 20 minute slots during the meal

 

A big disappointment in that respect and shows to me that the concept of a cabaret dinner isn't understood at all by P and O? Which is surprising

 

Or maybe our night was not the normal night ?

 

Anybody else used the Limelight Club ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by Interestedcruisefan

[Interestedcruisefan]

Ps this is how the P and O website promotes it:

 

More than just an event, The Limelight Club is a feast for the senses, an experience you can take away with you. How’s that for a souvenir?

 

It was nothing of the sort. It was just a meal and 15 mins later a show.

 

A feast for the senses would mean several things happening at once. 

 

What we experienced was no different to what I could do every other night on the ship. Other than I didn't have to walk anywhere to watch the show after the meal.

 

I should have complained looking back on it

 

If only so they improve it for others and ourselves in the future

 

As like I say it's a good concept when done right

[AndyMichelle]

We have really enjoyed our trips to the Limelight on Brittania, mainly as a break from the hustle and bustle with intimate performances and exceptional service. 

Our expectations must differ to yours, trying to watch entertainment whilst eating my dinner does not really appeal. 

I have had magicians trying to engage with me while I have a mouthful of sirloin... 

Sorry you never got the experience you expected or wanted, but it suited us perfectly. 

Each to their own... 

Andy 

[Son of Bare]

When we saw EnE they did their act in two parts. I think we had the starter/main after part one and desert/coffee after part two.

[indiana123]

We went when Lee Mead  was on and the great Limelight Girl Band, we were entertained all through, but mainly between courses and it was a really good evening.  Shame yours wasn't so good.

[zap99]

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

We have really enjoyed our trips to the Limelight on Brittania, mainly as a break from the hustle and bustle with intimate performances and exceptional service. 

Our expectations must differ to yours, trying to watch entertainment whilst eating my dinner does not really appeal. 

I have had magicians trying to engage with me while I have a mouthful of sirloin... 

Sorry you never got the experience you expected or wanted, but it suited us perfectly. 

Each to their own... 

Andy 

We normally have an evening In the Limelight. We skipped Eric and Ern a few times. Last one was Chesney Hawkes. He did about 15 mins, left folk to eat there food and returned for a very enjoyable evening after dinner. A juggler when eating our soup, or a table magician making my sausages disappear would have been unwelcome. 😁

[Jennizor]

Sorry you didn’t enjoy your Limelight Club experience. We saw Gareth Gates on Britannia in Feb 20, he was amazing. Like Andy, we are not bothered about entertainment while we are eating. I think there was background music and that was fine for us. We thought it was a great evening and we will definitely be booking again on December cruise. 

[zap99]

12 minutes ago, Son of Bare said:

When we saw EnE they did their act in two parts. I think we had the starter/main after part one and desert/coffee after part two.

Although they don't appeal to us, no doubt they appeal to many. I would guess their act is quite visual. If so would you want that happening whilst you eat,?.

[JohnCoffield]

We saw Gareth Gates on Britannia in October & he was very good & happy to spend some time with the diners afterwards. I think having the meal then the entertainment worked for us &, from what I could tell, everyone else in the club. 

[Interestedcruisefan]

34 minutes ago, Son of Bare said:

When we saw EnE they did their act in two parts. I think we had the starter/main after part one and desert/coffee after part two.

Which is more like a cabaret dinner

[Interestedcruisefan]

Just to make it clear I'm thinking a solo singer or musician with background songs or music is what I would expect and have made me happy

 

Followed by the main act after the meal

 

 

 

[Eglesbrech]

28 minutes ago, JohnCoffield said:

We saw Gareth Gates on Britannia in October & he was very good & happy to spend some time with the diners afterwards. I think having the meal then the entertainment worked for us &, from what I could tell, everyone else in the club. 

We saw Gareth Gates as well (pre pandemic) and he did a great show in 2 parts with some during starters and then the main show after dinner. I was not a fan but really enjoyed his show and the fact that yes he was happy to chat with people afterwards.

 

While Gareth was not on stage we had what I would call “soup” music in the background. Really enjoyable evening (though for the record the food was just adequate).

 

Our evening was more what the OP would have been looking for I suspect.

 

I would definitely book again regardless of the format.

[wowzz]

Reading about the Limelight Club takes me back to the days of the Scampi and Chips in a basket circuit, in the likes of Baileys in Leicester in the mid 70s, watching the likes of the Drifters and Four Tops.

Anyone else remember those days?

[Interestedcruisefan]

1 hour ago, Jennizor said:

Sorry you didn’t enjoy your Limelight Club experience. We saw Gareth Gates on Britannia in Feb 20, he was amazing. Like Andy, we are not bothered about entertainment while we are eating. I think there was background music and that was fine for us. We thought it was a great evening and we will definitely be booking again on December cruise. 

I did still enjoy

 

I just think it could have been a lot better

 

I'm sure when the Limelight Club was designed and imagined it was never supposed to just be a meal followed by a toilet break and then the entertainment

[Interestedcruisefan]

35 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

We saw Gareth Gates as well (pre pandemic) and he did a great show in 2 parts with some during starters and then the main show after dinner. I was not a fan but really enjoyed his show and the fact that yes he was happy to chat with people afterwards.

 

While Gareth was not on stage we had what I would call “soup” music in the background. Really enjoyable evening (though for the record the food was just adequate).

 

Our evening was more what the OP would have been looking for I suspect.

 

I would definitely book again regardless of the format.

Was the "soup" music live music?

 

 

[Eglesbrech]

4 minutes ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Was the "soup" music live music?

 

 

No, just quietly in the background through the sound system.

[bee-ess]

21 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Reading about the Limelight Club takes me back to the days of the Scampi and Chips in a basket circuit, in the likes of Baileys in Leicester in the mid 70s, watching the likes of the Drifters and Four Tops.

Anyone else remember those days?

Yes, our nearest was Lakeside in Frimley (where they used to hold the World Darts Championships) - The Drifters and Chicken and Chips in a basket.

[Interestedcruisefan]

13 minutes ago, Eglesbrech said:

No, just quietly in the background through the sound system.

You see knowing they have some great solo musicians on board I just think that's the perfect time for one of them to play some tunes whilst people dine

 

It would have just made the evening seem more special and elevated it

 

 

 

 

[thornegirl]

25 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Reading about the Limelight Club takes me back to the days of the Scampi and Chips in a basket circuit, in the likes of Baileys in Leicester in the mid 70s, watching the likes of the Drifters and Four Tops.

Anyone else remember those days?

Yes I do, we saw Dusty Springfield at The Bees Knees at Failsowrth in Manchester in the early 70's.  Collected the chicken in the basket near the stage door

[yorkshirephil]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Reading about the Limelight Club takes me back to the days of the Scampi and Chips in a basket circuit, in the likes of Baileys in Leicester in the mid 70s, watching the likes of the Drifters and Four Tops.

Anyone else remember those days?

Happy days, we were lucky as we had some great Cabaret/Variety clubs local to us which pulled in great performers. I remember seeing Shirley Bassey at Batley variety club, when she took to the stage everything else stopped and the bars closed, you were advised  in advance that the bar would close at 10;00 so you stocked up on drinks. 

[zap99]

1 hour ago, Interestedcruisefan said:

Was the "soup" music live music?

 

 

I think there was a pop duo, blonde blokes I think. They were called ' broth '.🤣

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Reading about the Limelight Club takes me back to the days of the Scampi and Chips in a basket circuit, in the likes of Baileys in Leicester in the mid 70s, watching the likes of the Drifters and Four Tops.

Anyone else remember those days?

Batley variety club and Wakefield theatre club, where was saw the likes of Neil Sedake and Herman's Hermits.

[Adawn47]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Reading about the Limelight Club takes me back to the days of the Scampi and Chips in a basket circuit, in the likes of Baileys in Leicester in the mid 70s, watching the likes of the Drifters and Four Tops.

Anyone else remember those days?

I remember them very well wowzz,  the height of  sophistication😉

We had a local nightclub/casino called Club Baba and was hosted by the hilarious, local comedien Charlie Williams. There were some good acts, although not 'famous', John Rowles and the Fantastics are two I remember,

My favourite nightclub was Batley Variety, where we saw the fabulous Roy Orbison. Also Freddie and the Dreamers, Sacha Distel, remember him?  Shirley Bassey and MIcheal Bentine are a few that come to mind. Good times.

Avril

[Megabear2]

We love The Limelight Club regardless of who is appearing but especially Eric and Ern. Britannia July 2021 ...

[Jennizor]

In the mid to late sixties I saw the the Rolling Stones, in I think Wigan Casino. I also saw Herman’s Hemits in the Pink Elephant Club. I also went to Batley Variety Club on my ex-husband’s football club Christmas do. I can’t remember who was on though. Happy memories.