Note: This feature first appeared on the now defunct WHIP! magazine.
Rubber Cult
The Alice, London, 17th February, 2017
I have to say this Rubber Cult was a little bit of a treat. Fuck, with only about three a year they’re all a treat in some way or another, but this was perhaps a little more than before. This was my third time here, and I think one of the best atmospheres and performance line ups I’ve seen. It was cool and brilliantly surreal, with the performances taking some darker twists and turns.
The last piece on October’s Rubber Cult covered the outfits and the crowd, so I think I’ll focus on what I can remember of the stage antics…
Marnie Scarlet: Ah, Marnie … probably everyone’s favourite. She’s definitely one of mine. I don’t know what the official name for her Emoji act is, but this was um…😂😂😂😍😍😍😋😋😋! How the hell do you describe it? Music with latex emojis all over her body – some on display, some hidden and waiting to be unleashed at the right momen t… including a turd emoji! Brilliant piece of social commentary.
Her second act was the March Hare – delicious red and white stripe suit and hood to match. I didn’t get to see as much of this … someone in front of me was trying inflate a lady’s catsuit with his mouth! When the wrists didn’t work, he tried the ankles!
Marie Devilreux: First thing I’m going to say here is:“Fuck! That peacock tattoo on her back!” How incredible is that … love it! What a fine piece of work. I’ve seen this lady online, but not live. Incredibly dark and alluring and tons of candle wax and post-latex nudity.
Mask and Co: I really enjoyed this. It was both a fashion show and piece of performance art. Really intense. Three people head to toe in latex and masks … handcuffs, strap ons, and I loved how the tables were turned on the uniformed chief with him being tied up near the end. I didn’t get to try on a mask as they always had a huge queue at their stall. Bit of a bugger that 😦
House of Harlot: I was standing at the foot of the back steps near the sofas when this was going on so most of the models walked right past me. Dani Divine – she’s very beautiful and serene in the flesh isn’t she? This was a procession of a handful or so models ranging from fetishly dressed to barely dressed. Turns out my regular tattooist is friends with one of them. Small world and all that.
Gas Mask gang: I wish I’d looked at the Rubber Cult site a bit more as I would have seen this and gone out and bought one! A gas mask has been on the list for a while. I’d say there were about 7-8 people in the gang all with different gas masks. Some bought, and it looked like some home made. Fetishists are inventive fuckers aren’t they?
Codename Diablo: This was a trailer for a new film featuring three women with very large breasts fighting crime in latex. The film’s website compares it to a Russ Meyer movie, which I think seems about right. Those Russ Meyer movies were pretty good fun, so this should be too. The three ladies (one of the stars had been replaced I think) were also doing signings and meet and greets.
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The staff at The Alice … you can tell they love this event and all its indulgence! It must be nearly as fun for them as it is for us. I think some of them may have even been converted to the perverted 😉
Oh, and if you’re reading this and you haven’t been to Rubber Cult before and you’re thinking of where to stay, then go for the Travelodge. It’s so close to the venue that you can be out of your room and into a club full of rubber in less than five minutes. That’s awesome, but the best part of staying there is how many other people going stay there! You go out for a cigarette, come back in, and find yourself bumping into people head to toe in latex and hoods posing for pictures with the staff! And usually breakfast is a mish-mash of people talking about custom design latex, the night’s adventures, or nursing hangovers. It’s pretty much the Rubber Cult hotel. I believe there’s usually a meet up in the bar before the club opens. Good to know for October.
I’ve said before that Rubber Cult is like swimming for treasure in a deep and beautiful ocean. I love it for this reason more than many others, but for me it’s also a form of therapy, as the cliché goes. It’s relaxing, it’s mind-opening, it’s wicked and devious, mad and wonderful, all wrapped up in some of the most exotic and exquisite ever wrapping created.
I’m looking forward to the next event in May 😉
Fin
Rubbercult.com
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