Klub Verboten on erotic readings and coming back to physical events

This Thursday, kink and fetish party organisers Klub Verboten are running an erotic reading in collaboration with Berlinable, a publisher of erotica from (yes) Berlin. Klub Verboten has been putting up parties in London for the last 5 years – but today sharing a physical (and sexual) space with people has truly acquired new meanings. 

Klub Verboten seems very aware that a fetish or kink event is not just about sex, but about how we engage with the erotic through culture – be it music, clothing, or, in this case, literature. What is so special about listening to filthy texts in a room full of strangers? I asked Drew Beckett of Klub Verboten about that, some favourite erotic reads, and how they feel getting back to events after last year.  

What do you like most about the idea of an erotic reading?

I think there is something very sensual listening to someone else read, and there’s a fascinating tension to creating an erotic atmosphere in such a controlled environment. I hope we can create a unique energy.

Spoken word in general relies on the narrator’s interpretation of the text and an audience’s interpretation of their intention. In a sexual context, eroticism is very subjective and personal. I think the discussions around the event and the conversations about how the reading impacted people will be just as interesting as the reading itself. Who knows, we might learn something that we can bring with us to other events.

There is also a kind of thrill in participating as a group in something illicit and a bit taboo. If I was to read an erotic book on the Tube, I might be aware of people staring at me. But together with Berlinable I hope we have created a safe space to be filthy with our clothes on, and without the buzzkill of being judged by more mainstream society,

I also think the concept of care comes into play, and I hope our audience feels a sense of catharsis from the event. To be provided with a positive erotic experience and in that way to be psychologically and emotionally looked after for a little while will hopefully go some way to restoring what might have felt lost over the last year but was really just dormant.

What are your favourite erotic, filthy, dirty reads?

I can’t speak for Karl, but here are some ideas. Hopefully you have some of your own!

Story of the Eye – George Bataille

Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov

The Story of O - Pauline Réage

Do Gooders (of course) – Paraphilia Collective

Crash – JG Ballard

Kink: Stories edited by R.O Kwon and Garth Greenwell

The Adventures of Sweet Gwendoline – John Willie

How do you feel about getting back to doing physical events after last year?

I’m cautiously excited. There has been so much uncertainty for the events industry, and while we are grateful for the support we have received from the Arts Council England by way of a recovery grant it is essential that Verboten is able to operate in order to secure its medium-to-long term future. Events are Verboten’s purpose and I miss the energy that comes with it.

Since we began the Verboten project we have been committed to building a community both around the events and beyond the events. It is the core of our mission and the reason I have so many sleepless nights! We have invested a considerable amount of love and energy maintaining the sense of togetherness during the pandemic, and our friends and members have done an incredible job communicating with each other virtually on the platforms we’ve provided via digital groups and online events. But physical proximity is essential to our well-being as humans and I’m so happy that people can interact more organically again.

As soon as it became clear that the pandemic would change the way we operated, we have lead the way in making sure that the events we have been able to run are COVID-safe. Everyone is desperate for clubbing and parties to return, and we have a roadmap for the resumption of these, but our first priority is the safety of our members and our audience. It is our hope that as everyone eases back into a world where they can attend events in-person, we make the experience as stress-free for them as possible – even if that means a little more stress for us here!

Throughout the last year we have not lost sight of how devastating the pandemic has been for many communities – not just here but around the world. We understand that culture is an important part of recovering from such a traumatic period, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to London’s gradual re-emergence.

Images courtesy of Klub Verboten and Berlinable. Follow Klub Verboten on Instagram and Twitter for updates about future events.