In Conversation with Alex Roque
If you think you know Soho cabaret, think again. M.E.N Live is London’s boldest male strip show, and at its center for us is Alex Roque — performer, producer, and one of the magnetic forces bringing every jaw-dropping moment to life. We sat down with him to talk about the show, his role, and why it’s capturing hearts across the city.
Alex, M.E.N Live has taken Soho by storm. How did this show start, and what’s the idea behind it?
Yes, we couldn’t be happier with all the positive responses we’ve been getting from our audiences from the very beginning.
We wanted to create a space where gay men felt acknowledged, seen, and celebrated. A show that represented a meeting point for gay men and like-minded people to have fun and share a unique experience. A place where people felt safe and comfortable to explore their fantasies and dive deeper into their sexualities without shame, guilt, fear, or judgement. My business partners had been at the forefront of the male revue industry for over a decade when we decided to join forces and invest our resources to provide the LGBTQIA+ community with the first male revue show for men. In addition to that, in February 2024 I spent two weeks in the hospital after being a victim of a hate crime in central London. That ignited the sense of urgency to create such a show.
We were worried about how our audiences would respond, since we didn’t understand why nobody had ever done a show like that. But once we saw how enthusiastic people were about it and how fast the word was spreading, we felt reassured by knowing that we had started something very special.
You’re both a performer and a producer — that’s a lot of hats! What’s a typical day like for you?
I feel blessed to be able to work with what I love and be rewarded with the feeling that I’m giving something back to the community that once embraced me when I was still searching for answers.
A typical day requires time and energy on different fronts. From a producer’s standpoint: meetings with my business partners, constant research and discussions to collect feedback from our audiences, to understand what’s out there and see how we can improve the experience for our audiences and performers.
From a performer’s perspective: going to the gym, rehearsing, and making sure I’m ready and on top of my game the moment I step onto the stage.
Besides that, I also try to accommodate the demands of being a fitness trainer, actor, and model, while I try to create time for my family, partner, friends, as well as other activities that support my mental health.
It does feel overwhelming at times, especially when you try to deliver your best performance on different fronts, which are often conflicting. But I am very fortunate and grateful for being able to rely on highly skilled business partners, extremely talented performers, and amazing people around me to help me carry through my days and enjoy the process.
The performances are bold and daring. Where do you find inspiration for the choreography and stagecraft?
My business partners have been at the forefront of the industry for over a decade. They’re huge creative minds and we share a passion for both creating and sharing memorable, lifetime experiences. From costumes to lighting, soundtrack, props, and concepts, we’re constantly watching different shows and debating how we can incorporate new elements that will expand the value perceived by our audiences who share the M.E.N Live experience. Our audience feedback is our main source of information and among the top guidelines of our action plan. Our choreographer is one of the best in the cabaret and stripping industry, and he’s been able to deliver a brilliant job by translating our inputs into choreographies that best represent our brand.
M.E.N Live is designed for the LGBTQIA+ community. What makes it so special for your audience, and why should everyone experience it?
Exactly. It’s a show designed for men, by men. We’ve created a space in the industry where gay men are not the “plus one.” Although we welcome everyone who has a good attitude and appreciates the male figure, we aim to cater to gay men’s desires and serve them with a show format that is dedicated to them and built with them in mind. We’ve started something unique and special. Think “Magic Mike,” but queer and more fun. A place where gay people can express themselves, relate, get involved, and take part in the overall dynamics. Our audiences come not only to have fun, but also to congregate as a community.
There’s a sense of energy and empowerment in the room. How do you feel the show connects with the community?
As a gay man, I struggled during my younger age to find out where I belonged due to a complete lack of references with which I could relate. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since then, and nowadays people have more access to different references and are able to have a more open, honest discussion about sexuality and gender. However, we should not take for granted the importance of breaking taboos, enhancing current debates, and educating people who didn’t have the opportunity to experience a more diverse culture.
Being comfortable in your own skin is something very powerful. A person’s confidence in their own sexuality permeates into different realms of their lives. By providing people with new ways in which sexuality can be expressed and different dynamics that can be established between men, we hope to help people better understand themselves and find an identity that best represents who they currently are. Ultimately, we hope to empower people, help them connect with each other, and bring them together as a community.
Let’s get personal — how did Alex Roque get into performance? Was this always your dream?
Never in my wildest dreams had I thought I would be doing what I do today. If you had told 30-year-old Alex that he would be performing and stripping on stage and co-producing a show in Soho for the LGBTQIA+ community, he would’ve been enticed by the idea, but probably too scared to allow himself to indulge in that fantasy.
After a long journey of self-discovery, I quit my job as a language teacher and moved to London in pursuit of my acting career. I then auditioned to host a show called Forbidden Nights, owned by one of my business partners, and the rest is history.
Being on stage is a newfound passion that has changed my life completely. When I’m on stage, I get to express myself and exchange energy with people in completely different ways, and I’m able to bring to life a part of me that was always too scared to come out to play.
Over the past years, I’ve been blessed with a sense of pride, and the constant feeling of living the dream. This is priceless.
You have serious stage presence. Any pre-show rituals or cheeky habits that help you bring the heat?
I believe my stage presence reflects my passion, gratitude, and pride for this project. Before going on stage, I need at least 20 minutes to warm up and summon Rocky. He’s very cheeky and flirtatious. He has his own makeup, accessories, and aftershave. I tap into both my feminine and masculine energies to prepare the house for him, and fill myself up with gratitude and love from people who believe in me to make any butterflies in the stomach fly away.
Outside the stage, what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or personal plans we should know about?
Life’s been incredibly busy lately, and I’ve been getting more and more involved with projects that strengthen our community, which makes me extra happy and grateful. Besides M.E.N Live and Forbidden Nights, I’ve been involved in a super exciting series based on an LGBTQIA+ novel called “Custodians,” by the amazing Dan Alexander, where I get to play one of the main characters alongside other fantastic actors. Definitely a book worth reading and a project worth keeping an eye out for.
Finally, if someone has never seen M.E.N Live, what’s your pitch to them in one sizzling sentence?
Dare to find out Soho’s best-kept secret. No phones allowed.
