“What a party that was! Arabian Nights – a splendidly chosen theme!” remarked one artist to the other members of the club. “I’m beat, I’m knackered, I’m spent. But gosh it was fun.”
“You don’t say. I barely saw the night go in. I danced all night, and now I feel like I could eat a horse! But there’s no better breakfast than an Arts Club breakfast after a party,” replied a painter dressed as an Arabian merchant.
“These costume parties are such fun, I just adore them. It’s a good thing I have some skill in these fingers, and people are willing to pay outlandish prices for my sculptures. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford the club’s company,” said a bronze sculptor dressed as the sad clown, Pierrot.
“I’m going to head home and get some sleep,” announced a muse in a peroxide blonde wig. “Anybody want to escort me?”
“Not a chance,” tittered the head of the Chelsea Arts Club – their scrambled eggs and bacon was about to be served.
The Chelsea Arts Club had been formed as recently as 1890. The club was by nature bohemian; its members were architects, engravers, painters and sculptors. The club encouraged artistic competition and emulation, facilitating encounters and inspiration between artists. It promoted the Arts through exhibitions, but primarily through its lavish parties. To rival Paris and Rome, where festivals known as the “Artists’ Mardi Gras” had long been held, London had decided to organise its own ball through the club, with the first being held at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1908. The event was a great success, attracting many famous artists and influential figures from high society. Encouraged by their success, the organisers set out to find a larger venue, and from 1910 onwards the Chelsea Arts Balls were held in the Albert Hall. For the next thirty years, the Chelsea Arts Balls at the Albert Hall were the crown jewel of the London social scene. Held on Shrove Tuesday or on New Year’s Eve, these balls were extravagant events that brought together hundreds of artists, with sumptuous decor and up to four thousand costumed dancers cavorting on the Great Floor of the Albert Hall. Dressing up to exotic themes such as Egypt, Noah’s Ark, Arabian Nights or the Cult of Sun Worship, the merrymakers danced until the early morning, when breakfast was served at five A.M. to bring the festivities to an end.
“What’s the theme for the next ball?” asked one artist.
“I want to keep it a surprise. Perhaps Ancient Egypt, or something like that,” replied the president.
“Perfect, I already have a Pharaoh costume. Egypt is such an inspiring place; the gods of the pyramids and the slaves from the kingdom of Ethiopia….the sun setting over the blood-red sand, the Red Sea rent in twain...”
“Pfft, it doesn’t do much for me,” said a painter. “I’d prefer Noah’ Ark.”
“Can you even bring animals in here?” asked the blonde model.
“You could dress up as a wild horse, a desert lion or a blue zebra. If we came together we could be a four-legged monster, my dear!” exclaimed the bronze sculptor.
Alan Alfredo Geday