I stroll into Leicester Square, a place I have been many times and usually avoid due to swarming tourists. To my delight it is transformed into a winter wonderland.
On entering the spectacular Spiegeltent which has been set up for the multi-award-winning, La Clique, I am immediately impressed by the staging. I sit in the front row as I usually do when reviewing plays. The cabaret variety show comprises of six acts.
It begins with an exquisite burlesque performance by Miss Jolie Papillon. This is followed by Katharine Arnold’s stunning aerial display performance which for me is the highlight of the evening. This performance begins with her stumbling on the stage in a hospital gown as she appears to be attached to an iv, she trips in her heels at one point.
After this we hear a beautiful rendition of ‘Diamonds are Forever’ by Ashley Stroud. Next up is a gravity defying pole performance by Mikael Bres that would make Isaac Newton gasp.
Sam Goodburn follows this with his performance on a unicycle while eating biscuits while disrobing. He enlists the gentleman next to me to assist him in putting his clothes back on, the result being one of the most hilarious moments in the play. I am glad I was not sitting in that seat.
The next performance is a Gay Jesus performed by Hugo Desmaroais who at one point gives a lap dance to a guy in the audience much to the amusement of the man’s wife. He then goes on to do an fantastic aerial routine on a suspended metal cross.
Performer Tara Boom then gives a comedic performance with popcorn and multiple hoops. In the second interval she gives a second performance with multiple umbrellas to Rihanna’s “under my umbrella” performed in a slowed down version by another singer. The second half of the show has the same performers coming back to build on their original performances.
It is a fantastic entertaining show and well worth seeing.
La Clique returns to London this Christmas
