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Performance

A Misadventure in Soho

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Performance

By: Ruth Ivo
Narrated by: Ruth Ivo
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About this listen

 'Enthralling... Ivo captures the euphoria and comedown of Soho's clubland so acutely' THE TIMES
'Stunning . . . a love letter to the aliveness of London and its nightlife' SOPHIE MACKINTOSH
'A wild night of a book' OCTAVIA BRIGHT

As 'Ruby', Ruth Ivo was a successful burlesque performer, living in blissful bohemian squalor on a decommissioned military boat and spending her evenings unfolding from a Fabergé egg in various London clubs. Her life changes when she is asked to become show director at 'The Club', a place as secretive as it is notorious. Before long, she's trawling Soho back streets for props and knocking back shots with movie stars and billionaires.

But as her nights unravel in a maelstrom of glamour and chaos behind the scenes, she feels her grasp on reality slipping through her fingers, and her soul wrung out by decadence. Under pressure to produce shows each more shocking than the last, she watches the performers under her care contort themselves before baying crowds. When a devastating event leaves her unmoored, Ruby has to wonder if she's sold her soul to the devil . . . or become him.

Performance is a visceral and exquisitely written portrait of a place that has come to embody the excesses of late capitalism; of tumbling willingly down the rabbit hole, only to lose yourself in the dark.
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'Performance is theatrical, immersive and utterly heartbreaking. An astonishing debut' CHRISTIE WATSON
'A story this addictive, it's hard not to consume it in one go' RHYANNON STYLES
'I devoured this book in two days, all of its twisting corners and dark alleyways. I know Soho like the back of my hand and this brought that lost world back in vivid colours' JODIE HARSH©2024 Ruth Ivo (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Entertainment & Celebrities Women England
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully written and read
I cannot recommend this enough
A unique treasure trove of stories

Beautiful unique

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I realise that most of us can read & write these days but Ruth Ivo does both exceptionally well! The book is gripping, moving, exciting & gave a snapshot into an intriguing world that I don't usually have an invite to. The familiarity of the London landmarks & hotspots sucked me deeper into the story (The Groucho Club is my 'Happy Place'....) & I found myself lost in the hedonism, willing the next phase to be.... well.. basically, I need you to write another book!

Captivating

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I was captivated by this book - the unfolding horror and pleasure. The narrators voice lead the story through the shadows of the city, revealing depth, joy and beauty. A great listen.

Gripping and tender. An insight to the souls of Soho.

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A glorious insight into the inner workings of nightlife at ‘the Club’. Beautifully written, rich in imagery and almost poetic, the audiobook is equally well read with passion by the author.

A whirling romp through London nightlife

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