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The Colony Room was a private members' drinking club for artists and other creative people at 41 Dean Street, Soho, London. The club was founded and presided over by Muriel Belcher from its inception in 1948 until her death in 1979. The artist Francis Bacon was an early and life-long member, and the club attracted Soho's alcoholic, artistic elite, including George Melly, Peter O'Toole, and Lucian Freud. After Belcher's death, the club attracted a new generation of young British artists including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, leading it to finally close its doors forever in 2008.〔Lewis, Roger. (Join our Club and Die a Horrible Death ), ''Daily Mail'' review of Sophie Parkin's ''The Colony Room Club'', Palmtree Press, 2013, published 3 January 2013, accessed 5 June 2013..〕 ==History== In 1948 Muriel Belcher managed to secure a 3-to-11pm drinking license for the Colony Room bar as a private members club, whereas public houses had to close at 2.30pm. The artist Francis Bacon was a founding member, walking in the day after it opened. He was "adopted" by Belcher as a "daughter" and allowed free drinks and £10 a week to bring in friends and rich patrons.〔 The club had a certain notoriety for its decor as well as its clientele; its bilious green walls were as famous as the club itself. In addition to its vile colour, the staircase that led to the establishment was described as foul-smelling and flanked by dustbins. Indeed many members referred to it as “going up the dirty stairs.” The Room was operated by Belcher between opening and her death in 1979. The Colony Room was located in a tiny first-floor room in Dean Street, and played an important role in Soho society as a drinking club for major British talent. Members included, as well as Bacon, Peter O'Toole, Michael Andrews, Lucian Freud and—later, after Belcher's death—Lisa Stansfield, Tracey Emin, and Damien Hirst. Hirst explained the attraction of the club: "It's because artists like drinking". Other regulars included John Deakin, Jeffrey Bernard and Henrietta Moraes, whose portrait by Bacon sold for £21.3 million in February 2012.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Gallery Talk: Francis Bacon's 'Portrait of Henrietta Moraes', King Street Sale, 14 February 2012 )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Francis Bacon, 'Portrait of Henrietta Moraes', Christie's auction results 14 February 2012 )〕 Belcher's sexuality attracted many gay men to the club, many of them brought to the club by her Jamaican girlfriend, Carmel. She had a knack for attracting or discovering interesting and colourful people, and the patronage of men like George Melly and Bacon helped to establish the Colony Room's close-knit community. Lady Rose McLaren, one of Bacon's friends, was a habitueé of the club in her London days. The Museum of London website says of the Colony Room, "The Colony Room was one of many drinking clubs in Soho. The autocratic and temperamental owner Muriel Belcher created an ambiance which suited those who thought of themselves as misfits or outsiders."〔"(The Colony Room )". museumoflondon.org.uk. Retrieved on 20 February 2010.〕 Belcher has been described as "an imperious lesbian with a fondness for insulting banter." George Melly said of her, "Muriel was a benevolent witch, who managed to draw in all London's talent up those filthy stairs. She was like a great cook, working with the ingredients of people and drink. And she loved money."〔Lacey, Liam. "(Bacon's portrait of seated woman ; Altered images: Francis Bacons iconic painting of feisty barmaid Muriel Belcher )". ''Daily Mail'', December 8, 2007. Retrieved 20 February 2010.〕 Poet Brian Patten described the Colony Room as "a small urinal full of fractious old geezers bitching about each other". For journalist Molly Parkin, the club was "a character-building glorious hell-hole. Everyone left their careers at the roadside before clambering the stairs and plunging into questionable behaviour’".〔 After Belcher's death in 1979, the club continued under her long-term barman Ian Board, known as Ida, until his death in 1994. It then passed to his veteran barman Michael Wojas, who had been employed at the Club from 1981. The Colony Room Club attracted low-lifes as well as artists of all types. It was a cultural magnet for the Young British Artists group (YBAs), including Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Tracey Emin. As a promotional device, Wojas persuaded famous members, including Kate Moss and Sam Taylor-Wood to serve drinks from behind the bar.〔 Bacon, Belcher, and the club are featured in John Maybury's 1998 film ''Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon'', when Belcher was played by Tilda Swinton. A fictionalised version of the club appears in the first story ("''Foie Humain''") of Will Self's collection ''Liver''. The club was used as the set/venue for the ITV show ''Suggs in the City''. The club is also parodied as "The Colonial Club" in Matt Berry's ''Toast of London''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Colony Room」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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