La Clique your fingers to experience the magic! (La Clique)

Member Name: berrydelight

Product:	La Clique
Date:	28/05/09 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An epic show of immense variety

Disadvantages: No UK tour

La Clique is quite simply a spectacle of gigantic proportions! A very different kind of West end show that will excite and entertain which at the end of the day is what a show should do! I went to see this in April for my fathers 50th birthday with my whole family (yes that includes my grandparents!) and we had and an amazing evening. At the time I knew very little about what lay in store but I hope this review enlightens you enough to go and see it for yourselves because in this circumstance I cannot do it justice.

Currently based in the London Hippodrome but only until 27th June when I think it takes a break before doing a Christmas stint in the Roundhouse Camden. It has a global appeal and many of the acts join from the La Clique shows in Australia and the US. The show has recently won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment 2009 and due to the content is not for under 18's. Billed as a circus, cabaret and (word of the moment) burlesque show features performers each with their own specialist talent. I notice that there seems to be a rotation of performers and some of the ones I was lucky enough to see no longer appear on the bill, most notably the drag bass singer who was the largest man I have ever seen squeezed into a lime green leotard!

The circus idea is well executed with the audience seated in the round providing a good view although I do think you benefit from the more expensive seats as you are up close to the performers and completely involved. The show is in two halves and the variety of performances is what makes this show so good. There really is something for everyone. The show commenced with the drag singer who's booming voice made for quite an introduction. The English Gents commenced their impressive balancing act to the rousing theme of Royal Britannia using at times just one hand to support each other. I must admit the highlight of their section for me was when they ripped their clothes off to reveal union jack pants to roars and cheers from all the female audience members (don't worry boys you get your turn!). Marawa treated us to a hula hoop display that makes my feeble one spin then fall over attempts look pitiful. Mario Queen of the Circus got everyone roused up and his comedic performance although good felt like a filler act, which to be fair goes to show the quality of the show as a whole.

The two highlights for me were Bret Pfister who is an aerial dancer, suspended about ten feet in the air using just a hoop to support himself he moved in a truly mesmerising way and received a standing ovation on dismount. Amy G was the burlesque and showgirl performer and in hindsight I don't know what was better watching my granddads face as she plucked a ribbon from her you know where or her comedy act later in the show!

Overall the show is something special. I can imagine it would be a perfect date night or something a little bit different for a hen do and really hope they do a UK tour so I can go and see it again. Several of the performers had several appearances to showcase different talents and there is no way you could get bored. I think the no under 18 rating is a little steep but it does get rowdy and there is a fair bit of nudity. You can get some really cheap tickets but if you want the really good seats they will set you back about £35 during the weekend and £29.50 during the week. Well worth the money in my opinion.

Go and enjoy (and if you are in London this would make an amazing Christmas party but sshh I haven't said that because that's way too forward thinking.....)

Summary: A really different type of West End Show