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Prince Harry is doing homework for his brothers stag-night at The Box

Nestled away in an alley in Soho, The Box’s London location could easily be overlooked by those unfamiliar with it.

Yet, those fortunate enough to be on one of the most exclusive lists in the city can step through its etched glass doors into an environment characterized by intentional debauchery.

Within the confines of dark-red walls adorned with mirrors, guests encounter a mix of transsexuals, a group of loud bankers, and performances that would even make Peter Stringfellow feel shy.

However, this is not reminiscent of the old Soho scene featuring peepshows. Instead, The Box is labeled as a ‘theatre of varieties’, a term that signifies exciting pleasures tailored for those with discerning tastes.

Originating in New York, this venue recently saw Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz caught kissing on Valentine’s Day. The hotspot on the Lower East Side has also hosted celebrities like Jude Law, Kanye West, Lindsay Lohan, and Lady Gaga.

In London, celebrity patrons now include Keira Knightley, who is said to have enjoyed a naked lap dance from a tattooed male performer last week, and Prince Harry, who visited after dinner with his on-again-off-again girlfriend Chelsy Davy. Following his visit, he was so taken with the experience that he might reach out to certain acts regarding performance on his brother Prince William’s stag night, in his role as best man.

The club has been operating for just a few weeks and has a media blackout; however, some journalists managed to gain entry. They reported that guests are spending approximately $2,000 for one of the ‘antique-laden’ tables, which offer a menu including seared tuna and Iranian caviar.

Their account noted that ‘dance music blasted from the speakers until 1am, when an American master of ceremonies known as Raven O took to the stage, enthusiastically declaring, “Do all the drugs you want. Do all the cocaine you can. Answer every fetish. Drugs are good”.’

With tattoos, semi-nakedness, and hair styled into devil horns, Raven O ‘went on to present a variety of acrobats and performers who incorporated nudity and violence into their acts.

‘The first act involved a man simulating drug use off the bare stomach of a scantily clad woman, while another featured a naked man wearing a pig mask, set ablaze by two women.

‘After the main show concludes around 3.30am, select guests are invited up to the VIP area for what is described as a “more titillating” rendition of the show.’

The cabaret performance changes nightly. A well-known local figure, Ben Douglas, attended recently and remarked, ‘I think you would have to have been pretty far gone to have found it erotic.’

So, who is the mastermind behind this daring new experience that has caught the attention of so many stars?

The individual behind it is Simon Hammerstein, a British public school graduate with an exceptionally famous grandfather.

Oscar Hammerstein II was the acclaimed lyricist and playwright who collaborated with Richard Rogers on musical masterpieces such as Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.

His grandson is convinced he, too, has creative offerings to present. He refers to it as ‘fetish burlesque’, claiming it represents artistically unrestrained erotic theatre. ‘Everyone at The Box should feel enveloped in a continuous bath of Dionysian debauchery,’ states the bearded, fast-talking Hammerstein. ‘That’s the essence of what I’m offering: allure, enigma, and sexual freedom.’

Born in London in 1977, Hammerstein is the soleBorn to theatre producer Jamie and his third wife Dena, an actress, he attended the progressive Bedales school in Hampshire as a boarder…contemporaries remember him as a loud, self-assured little boy with braces on his teeth.

Following his education, he spent a brief period working at the National Theatre before relocating to New York, where he fully immersed himself in the vibrant nightclub scene.

He made attempts to establish a supper club theatre but quickly discovered that audiences were not keen on enduring two hours of drama.

Eventually, he conceived the idea of a nightclub featuring adult cabaret and realized that patrons were willing to sit and purchase drinks for hours, eager to witness something risqué on stage.

His New York backers included Sienna Miller, Jude Law, and British Oscar-winner Rachel Weisz…he fostered ties within the London theatre community that proved beneficial.

When it debuted in February 2007, The Box quickly became the most sought-after venue in the Big Apple. Regular attendees included Lindsay Lohan, who would perform pole dancing, as well as Jude and Sienna. Initially quite tame, the variety show eventually incorporated sex acts alongside musicians and magicians.

Hammerstein remarked, ‘There were numerous acts where I thought, “There’s no way we can present this. People will throw things at us and be horrified”.’

The fact is, the excess led to success. News spread about the unique experience available, attracting crowds who spent up to $10,000 per night on champagne.

The establishment gained notoriety for its sexual and chemical indulgences, with reports of customers engaging in sexual activities and using cocaine off their tables.

The outrageous environment proved beneficial for The Box’s business, but controversy arose in late 2008 involving two sisters known as the Porcelain Twinz.

Hammerstein discovered Heather and Amber Langley in a club in Oregon. They were welcomed into The Box late one evening and were greeted by Hammerstein himself, who offered them cocaine…”a substance they would find he had in ample supply,” as stated in legal documents.

Following their audition, the act was renamed Twincest and, at Hammerstein’s suggestion, transformed into a performance featuring the sisters simulating sexual acts with each other. They later initiated a legal case alleging he coerced them into a threesome with him in July 2008.

The sisters asserted that he abused his authority at the club by promoting female performers who engaged with him sexually.

Hammerstein settled out of court but denies all accusations…the drugs, the sex, and the coercion…claiming that the twins betrayed him.

He envisioned the London branch of The Box two years ago. Well-connected friends, including Ben Elliot, nephew of Camilla Parker Bowles, assured him there would be a significant demand for such entertainment in the UK.

Support also came from Simon Cowell, who relished an outrageous performance from some New York artists at his 50th birthday celebration in 2009.

Obtaining a license proved effortless. A spokesperson for Westminster Council stated, ‘The license was issued following consultations with police and other parties; we believe the operator is reputable and well-regarded, and we have no significant concerns.’

This sentiment is evidently shared by the lineup of royals and celebrities who have eagerly sought entry.

by Robbo Green

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