They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery: if so, good old-fashioned variety should be tickled pink with the show that LA CLIQUE has mounted at The London Hippodrome. Fresh from slaying Edinburgh Festival audiences, it provides a contemporary take on acts that our parents had flocked decades ago to see at the Palladium - or stayed at home to watch on TV.
In a nutshell, this is one of the most mesmerising shows you could wish for: a perfect antidote for today's dark times. Atmospherically set around a raised stage, it has a circus feel and the buzz starts as soon as you enter the plush room with its un-allocated and (largely) wooden seats.
The show surprises on every level - from the feel-good opening and closing numbers by the energetic two-man team of Cabaret Decadanse and their sassy puppet performers, each act segues seamlessly into the one before in a sexy kaleidoscopic mix of top global performers.
The sartorially-elegant pair of English Gents maintains a stiff upper lip during even the most fiendish of lifts and balances, while a pvc-clad Miss Behave proves astonishingly adept at saucily swallowing swords and other items.
Everyone adored Clarke McFarlane's leather-clad Mario, Queen of the Circus, a Freddie Mercury acolyte, insouciant juggler, trick cyclist and comedian - allow yourself a full thirty seconds to cotton on to his slow-fuse Pinocchio joke - and squirmed at Captain Frodo's incredible contortions.
LA CLIQUE's informal atmosphere encourages frequent trips to the bar during the performance, but most people were so mesmerised that they stayed put to gasp, marvel and giggle, whether participating in Mario's crowd surf or 'learning Spanish' to sing along with Croydon-born's glamorous Ursula Martinez. (But, as for where she had hidden a small red handkerchief on her enticingly naked body as part of her strip and magic act.well, you really don't want to go there: or maybe you do?)
David O'Mer provided 'something for the laydeez' (and one or two excitable gentlemen): this world-class gymnast starts his 'Bath Boy' act immersed in water before emerging in sopping-wet jeans to perform an awe-inspiring series of aerial gymnastics that bring the house down, while the bravura elegance of hula-hooping Yulia Pikhtina delivers a virtuoso display that tantalisingly combines the erotic and the exotic.
There really is something for everyone in this superb grab bag of cabaret, new burlesque, circus and contemporary vaudeville - and, even better, the seats are priced to sell and the bar remains open after the show.
I would recommend LA CLIQUE unreservedly and was still buzzing the morning after. Think of any superlative and double it: this show deserves them all.
Reviewed for Theatreworld by Clive Burton.
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