Tunbridge Wells cockney sing-along - but with nothing on
A sing-along in the buff is being held at The Green Duck Coffee House and Bar in Grosvenor Road
A cockney sing-along - in the buff - is being held at a coffee house and bar in Tunbridge Wells.
Yes, that’s right. You’ll be singing Knees Up Mother Brown but showing off more than your, er, knees.
The Nothing On Cockney Sing-along is being held at The Green Duck Coffee House & Bar (@thegreenduckcoffeehouseandbar) in Grosvenor Road in association with the East Sussex Naturists.
Owner of the venue Matt Elesmore admits it’s not the type of event which had ever crossed his mind until he was approached by the naturist group.
“They originally asked if they could do a naked supper club here,” he explains. “We do a sing-along on the last Friday of every month so I made the suggestion that we could do a naked sing-a-long. I managed to find a pianist who will actually do it in the buff, too.”
Elesmore admits he just thought ‘why not’ after being asked.
“I was intrigued when they approached me and I thought we’ll give it a go,” he says. “It’s just a bit different and I think it will get people talking - what’s the harm?”
For several years East Sussex Naturists have been organising events, countryside walks, yoga and sporting activities and the sing-along is their latest venture in social nudity.
Naturism is a legitimate form of self-expression - it’s legal, moral and is believed to enhance physical and mental well-being.
“I don’t know who will come to the event, we may get some locals and we may get some people that we did not expect to come along,” says Elesmore.
“I’ll be there - clothed. I was thinking what if something happened or there was an emergency, so I’d better stay clothed.”
The stage manager launched The Green Duck Emporium (@thegreenduckrtw) in September 2020 after being unable to work during most of the pandemic.
He initially decided to set up the shop to sell homewares and interiors, but it has since grown and his small empire now includes a coffee house and bar - where the event will be held - and another shop in Brighton.
“It’s been going really well, we’ve expanded and just opened the Brighton shop,” he said.
“We’re in Grosvenor Road in Tunbridge Wells which is a little off the beaten track and a road we’re trying to give a bit of love to.
“There are independents there and we’re trying our very best to peddle it.”
The Nothing On Sing-along is on Friday, September 2, from 7pm to 10pm.
Tickets are £22.50 and this includes an antipasti meat, cheese or vegan board per person.
Only 24 tickets are available and you will all be seated at tables with table service.
The event is hosted by performer Mister Meredith who has 25 years of sing-along experience under his belt.
He’ll be encouraging guests to sing along to anything from old music hall to cockney favourites, current pop and West End hits.
For tickets see https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nothing-on-cockney-sing-a-long-tickets-351305964597