A Wild Night at Club Mwah

The following is a quote from Frommer's on the night life in Manila:

"No, mwah isn't a Tagalog word--it's the sound of a simply fabulous air kiss.  Locals and tourists alike flock to this glitzy venue to see the city's most popular transvestite revue.  It's glam rather than seedy--think La Cage aux Folles set in Las Vegas--and even straight-laced embassies have been known to throw parties here".

Well, that is exactly what happened the other evening.  One of Gracita's friends arranged a night out at Club Mwah for a large group from the diplomatic community.  All I can say is that neither the diplomats nor the performers were exactly straight-laced!

Club Mwah, in Mandaluyong City, has been around since 2004.  It is billed as a cross between Club 54 in New York and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.  I have never been to either of those establishments but in terms of artistry, flair, costumes, choreography and sheer energy I can totally believe that Club Mwah is up there in the same league.

Yes, that's Regee and moi (no pun intended) with the cast of Follies de Mwah after our final number!

The audience sits around the small stage but the sound system, costumes lighting and swirling performers make you feel that you are in the show.  It is literally a non-stop ninety minutes of blinding lights, pulsating sound and decibel levels that the EPA had not thought possible.

The diplomatic community was well and truly wowed and I get the feeling that a lot of embassies will be holding their parties here in the future.

Chris Nicolas is the "President" of Club Mwah.  That's him on the far right in the above photo. Incredibly, he is also the director, principal performer, choreographer, costume designer and set creator. A powerhouse.

Chris must be drinking about 15 cans of Red Bull a day because the show is an amazing, non-stop series of extravagant song and dance numbers that rival, mimic or poke fun at famous Broadway shows and divas. He also has an incredibly powerful and beautiful voice which would not be out of place in any Broadway show.

His rendition of Patti Labelle (complete with trembling tongue!) and the Phantom of the Opera brought the house down.  Moulin Rouge is the inspiration for some of the more exotic numbers and there was one fan dance that was absolutely ravishing.

Ivo and Edgar ham it up

All Boyz Together

Gracita, Regee and Ivo after the show

Our group has its moment with the stars

As the advertisement for Club Mwah says, it is all Far from the Maddening Crowd.  If you want to read more about the show and the performers, have a look at:

http://www.clubmwah.com