Living in Brighton: Jane Bom-Bane
Diana Frangi meets the entertaining Jane Bom-Bane
When the countless raving reviews about her music and style include every superlative in the book (‘genius’, ‘hugely entertaining’, ‘blisteringly offbeat’, ‘absolutely amazing’), and when our own Latest food critic has given her restaurant out of this world praise, it would be hard to find anything new to say about Jane Bom-Bane. Except to give grateful thanks that this marvellously eccentric talent is now a Brighton girl who adds a special ingredient of gaiety to the heady mix of entertainment in our fair city.
With her partner Nick Pynn (who has played with Steve Harley, Arthur Brown, and B*witched) her restaurant in George Street, Kemp Town is famed throughout Europe for its creative food, its moving, rotating tables, and singing waitresses. And as the coup de grace, the twice monthly ‘Bom- Bane the Musical’ where clientele get to hear the incredible voice of harmonium playing Jane herself, singing amongst other hits, ‘I’ve got a goldfish bowl on my head.’ Unforgettable!
Where does the name Bom-Bane come from?
It’s from a playground rhyme: Jane Bom-Bane, tiddly-ane, fi-fane. Fi-fane, tiddly-ane – that’s how you spell Jane. Or for you, it would have been: Diana, fi-fana, tiddly-ana, fi-fana. Fi-fana, tiddly-ana – that’s how you spell Diana! Jane Bom-Bane just stuck as a nick-name, and came in handy when I started performing songs and poems that rhyme.
What exactly is ‘Bom-Bane the Musical’?
It’s a musical we perform at Bom-Bane’s café over a set three-course meal.
Where did the idea come from?
When I realised that all of the staff here could sing as well as cook, I decided I couldn’t let all the talent go unharnessed, so I wrote a musical to go with the customers’ experience of coming to Bom-Bane’s. My songs often tell stories, and I’ve always wanted an excuse to write a musical. Candy, one of our two chefs, and Rosi who helps to run the café both write too, so they also composed songs from their own perspective. Kaja and Niamh wrote up a strict order of choreographing the preparation and service of the food during and between courses. And of course Nick Pynn is there underpinning all the musical accompaniment!
What gives you more satisfaction preparing the food or singing the songs?
I don’t prepare the food on these nights – Candy, Kaja and Niamh do. I enjoy the singing, welcoming the guests and chatting to them afterwards.
What does Jane Bom-Bane do in her solo performances?
I sing original songs to the accompaniment of harmonium, and if Nick’s around when I perform, he enhances them with his many beautiful strings. Some of my songs have mechanical hats to match. We have a night twice a month here at Bom-Bane’s called ‘Things that go Bom-Pynn in the Night’, when Nick and I do our own thing and sometimes have guests performing too.
How did you and Nick meet?
We both had separate shows at the Edinburgh Festival in 2001. I was living in London at the time, and only moved down here to be with Nick when my son left home to go travelling and studying in 2006.
What do you think are Brighton’s most attractive features?
Oh – so many parts of Brighton and Hove are beautiful, the shopping lanes and seafront make it fresh and unique.
Apart from your own restaurant do you have any other favourite eating places?
There are plenty of places on George Street where we are situated – the Chinese restaurant, Figaro’s all-day breakfast café, the quirky Tea Cosy and Yummy Stuff over the road, who serve delicious homemade snacks. When we’re closed, we don’t have much time these days to go very far to eat…
My fantasy dinner party
Who would you invite ?
David Byrne: Great dancer
Salvador Dali: Great painter
Dolly Parton: Great singer
Karl Marx: Great thinker
Professor Stanley Unwin: very funny
Araucaria: Great brain
Dr Seuss: Great writer
Where would you hold your party?
I suppose it would have to be at Bom-Bane’s because I wouldn’t have a problem getting home and we’ve got a fantastic chef.
What sort of music or entertainment would you have ?
Issy Smith (puppeteer). Bela Emerson (cellist) and Sarah Angliss (thereminist).
What would you talk about?
Green eggs and ham.
Is there anything you would want to ask your guests?
I’d ask David Byrne if he was going out with anybody.
Who would you go home with?
Stanley Unwin – the least frightening.
