Stepping through the Pale Blue Door is like walking onto a Tim Burton set of the mad hatters tea party. Mismatched crockery, tablecloths made from old shirts and heavy velvet curtains contribute towards the atmosphere of an artists home.
Photography Stephanie Richardson
The Pale Blue Door is the brainchild of set designer Tony Hornecker, hidden in a back alley of Dalston, you can only imagine what lurks behind the Pale Blue Door.
Walking in you are greeted by friendly faces behind the warm glow of candlelight and a strong gin and tonic. Upon entering, the atmosphere is relaxed and chilled. Calming music filters through the restaurant as the smell of delicious food wafts under diners noses. The food served is delicious. A set menu dished up simultaneously to guests creates a homely feel, like a big family dinner. Comfort food is the phrase that comes to mind, good home cooking, with the “crumble of fancy” always served as desert.
The mood shifts as the audience are faced with drag performance artist ‘A Man De Pet.’ After a performance from this ‘six -boobed’ delight dressed as wonder woman, you think you’ve seen it all. ‘A Man De Pet’ sadly waves goodbye and the soft music starts up again. Throughout the evening the music stops and starts as the artist pulls out a variety of performances which casually become more extravagant. From Tina Turner to acting out the lyrics from Whams Club Tropicana, equip with a paddling pool and a water gun to spray diners, you’re left in hysterics by the time the night’s over.
At the end of an entertaining evening you have the chance to explore Hornecker’s house. Climbing up a steep ladder after half a bottle of wine is fairly ominous to say the least, however the wonders you find at the top are worth the dangerous ascent. A narrow passageway clad with stuffed animals and crazed dolls leads to a child sized door. The ridiculously low ceilings and narrow spacing of the upper floor contributes to the feeling of a life sized dolls house. The brave explorers require agility to squeeze through tiny hallways and doors into the upper floor where some guests eat upon a tiny bed placed on the floor.
By the time coffee arrives, you don’t want to leave. The Pale Blue Door feels like London’s best-kept secret, somewhere you just have to experience for yourself.
For more info check out the artists site: http://tonyhornecker.wordpress.com/
More to come from the artist himself in the upcoming International Issue.
Words by: Stephanie Richardson
