An exhilarating and breath takingly dangerous, decadent and provocative circus cabaret made up of the most incredible performers
Reviewed by Juliana Payne
The Studio, Sydney Opera House
Until 14th November, 2024
Tickets: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/musical-theatre-cabaret/la-clique
Celebrating twenty incredible years of stunning performances, La Clique is billed as “a blend of cabaret, circus and vaudeville” and it is oh so much more than that. It is exhilaration, wonder and hilarity. It is gaspingly dangerous. It is captivating and spellbinding. It has to be seen – and experienced – to be believed. And by the way, it’s strictly for grown ups. With music from opera to Donna Summer to Gaga, it’s a wonderful mix of fun, rudeness and sheer admiration for physical skill. You can keep the Olympics, give me La Clique any day.
It’s just so real. In this age of digital unreality, where we need to specify that something is “in real life”, La Clique brings us performances that are utterly human. We see every sinew and muscle flex and stretch. We feel the heat of real flames, we are flicked with water from the bathtub, and a couple of audience members got slathered in shaving cream – it is truly tangible! In the intimate space of The Studio, you are up close to the performers and enjoying every smirk and wink and nod they give to the audience. It’s interactive in the best possible way.
Photography by Daniel Boud
Leather-clad Mario, Queen of the Circus is MC, and at one point remarks with bittersweet regret that no-one ever knows the names of burlesque and circus performers, so I need to try and redress that injustice. He’s a pocket-sized Freddie Mercury, skillfully juggling to Queen songs and loading up the corny jokes in between acts.
Tuedon Ariri from Canada gives us stunning silhouettes in a performance commissioned as a tribute to ‘Bath Boy’ which is well known to those of us who are long standing La Clique fans, and she did him proud. Australia’s very own problem child of cabaret, Tara Bloom delivers hilarious and stunning turns with hula hoops, real popcorn pouring from the headpiece whilst slathered in I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter… trust me you have to see it. They have a wonderful anti-glamorous persona that is utterly gorgeous and totally funny to boot. The inherent skill of their ability to juggle several umbrellas elegantly with their feet is amazing.
David Pereira from Spain gives an eye-wateringly stunning performance in an aerial silks act, his fluid and effortless movements along with the suppleness of his lithe body is wondrous to watch. He also performs a piece involving shaving cream and utterly no clothing that is incredible to witness, quelle surprise!
Heather Holliday from the US, gives two unbelievable performances. With cheekbones that could beat any supermodel to the front page of Vogue, she has the entire audience groaning and squirming in unison from the beyond human performance that was happening in front of us. From fire breathing to swallowing numerous swords half her height, Holliday is breathtaking from start to finish.
Mirko Köckenberger from Germany shows off his new act involving several tiers of champagne flutes and platforms upon which he displays his virtuosity and yet another perfectly toned and proportioned physique. Lj Marles from the UK stunned and stupefied us with his aerial act on tension straps that had the audience howling with admiration and amazement. His compatriot Ursula Martinez has come out of retirement to grace us with her signature ‘Hanky Panky’ strip tease magic act that leaves the audience exhausted.
I’ve run out of superlatives now, so just know that if you have any spark of joy and freedom within and you don’t mind some nudity, you must see this show.
