Sky Atlantic HD Launch
Performance & Interactivity
Vauxhall | January 17 2010
To celebrate the launch of Sky Atlantic HD, the new UK home of HBO programming, the Heritage Arts Company, working with The Hospital Club of Covent Garden, provided a unique prohibition speakeasy experience for guests including Steve Buscemi, Stephen Graham & Terrence Winter. From shakedowns on arrival through to drinks with glamorous cocktail girls, a terifying police raid and the unveiling of a secret casino, the Heritage Arts team brought the Boardwalk Empire to life for one night only.
Where were you on January 17th, 1920? 350 VIP guests were in the company of one slick & charismatic Chicago M.C. as he defied the authorities by publicly flaunting prohibition laws. Despite the presence of the temperance union and a raid by the armed officers of the Federal Police, the party continued into the night with drinks, dancing and a secret casino frequented by glamorous molls and shady gents.
“Gentlemen of the Fourth Estate. Tragic though it is, I need hardly remind you that the passage of the 18th Amendment has given rise to a new breed of criminals. Vicious thugs, emboldened by the promise of an easy dollar. Last January, in the woods, only a few miles from where I speak to you today, a horrible massacre occurred. Five men, bootleggers all, were cut down in cold blood by a rival gang. The suspected ringleader of the killers was found dead days later, caught in a fisherman’s net in one of our piers...”
Nucky Thompson
Performance Directors
Mat Burt & David Wright
The M.C. – Nik Wakefield
The Chief of Police – James Sobol Kelly
The Ladies – Helen Bradbury & Kat McGarr
The Gents – Ben Dilloway, Chris Webster, Orlando James, Hector Harkness & Matthew Blake
Special Thanks to Michael Berg, Selina Robson and everyone at The Hospital Club for running a fantastic event, the event staff and crew, Sky, HBO & the guests for playing along with us.