Clayton Hartley
Co-founder of the Candlelight Club back in October 2010, thanks to a chance meeting when the other co-founder happened to walk past a venue (the long-vanished Salon d’Été) where Clayton was running a party for retro-dandies of the New Sheridan Club. A lifelong fan of the 1920s and 1930s, Clayton dresses in the style of the era pretty much all the time. On the Candlelight Club team he promotes the events, books the entertainers, takes photographs and runs the sound and lights on the night. He has a profound interest in cocktails and cocktail history: read his drinks blog here.
Let our resident compère take you by the hand and lead you into a decadent underground world of 1920s cabaret, a delightful mixture of American speakeasy, British music hall, Weimar Berlin and Parisian follies. With cheeky songs, comedic patter and a wardrobe of astounding costumes, he combines waspish bedevilment with a warmth that leaves everyone feeling included. With the Lord of Cabaret Misrule presiding, you’ll be screaming for more Champagne all night long!
“Brilliant. Your show is great!” —Hugh Grant
“The way you work the audience is captivating.” —Su Pollard
The Bee's Knees are a dance troupe serving up Charleston routines and a variety of other themed acts. But they are also mean DJs and can often be found spinning shellac at the Candlelight Club
Our regular dance troupe the Gatsby Girls will transport you back to a world of sophistication, glitz and glamour with performances full of flapper fun and dazzling Charleston footwork. When not shimmying at the Candlelight Club they can be found at the Ned, the Café de Paris, the Café Royal, Glastonbury Festival, Highclere Castle and have popped up on the BBC and ITV.
Lucius Valiant
We first had the idea to host a tarot reader at one of our special Halloween events, but Lucius went down so well with guests that he became a regular feature. You’ll find him in a quiet corner of the venue where he offers 15-minute readings.
Michelle Krausz
Krausz Jewellery’s main business is crafting bespoke pieces, especially rings, but Michelle has a sideline selling vintage and upcycled pieces, and she can be found at most of our events offering retro sparkle to complete your Jazz Age look.
Magda harvey
With husband Colin, Magda owns and runs the current venue for our public events, handling food and drink in house.
David Hamilton Boyd
Working in and managing bars, restaurants and events for the last two decades, David is an award-winning mixologist, caterer and owner of the Kent Mobile Bar Company. At the Candlelight Club he oversaw the bar and kitchens until 2023, and now handles food and drink logistics for our private events.
