From the desk of Penelope Alice, Britain’s most fabulous PA: Namco Funscape showcase

All work and no play makes Penelope a cranky girl. I cannot tell a lie, sometimes I really need to get out and have a bit of fun. I was invited to the Namco Funscape showcase last night and it was my chance to roll up my sleeves and kick off my heels.

The venue is located right in the heart of London’s County Hall at the South Bank. Anybody who knows of it will surely assume it’s a place to take the kids on the weekend, but it’s actually home to one of the capital’s most interesting event venues. The basement features a spacious bar that can be hired out and provides access to the building’s three floors of fun, including video games, a bowling alley and tabletop games. Plus, renovations are under way to expand the corporate offering.

The room can be set up in a variety of ways, but we were invited to get involved with ping pong, billiards, table football and air hockey. I’ve never been very good at shooting pool, but with the help of an expert I managed to pull off some impressive tricks.

To go along with the free-flowing drinks, we feasted on some delicious canapés, including mini-burgers, prawns with crayfish, Scotch eggs, sweet potatoes wrapped in bacon, (yum) and an interesting concoction of chicken tikka with strawberries and mint – strange, but it works.

If you’re thinking that your colleagues could use a bit of excitement, check out the website at namcofunscape-londonevents.co.uk.