Fringe review: LA CLIQUE, The Famous Spiegeltent
Photo credit: Sacha Stejko
La Clique is celebrating its 21st birthday and is throwing a party twice nightly throughout August in The Famous Spiegeltent in St Andrew’s Square in Edinburgh, under the charismatic compère who founded the show, the spiegelmaestro, David Bates.
On our visit, we saw eight acts in a 100-minute show, every one executed with great finesse and delighting the full house with a raucous sexy show that can only be described as adult fun. If there is one must-see show this Fringe, it is surely this but arrive early as some of the booth seats around the venue have obstructed views from the tent poles and are uncomfortable to sit in. Equally, arrive early and sit in the front rows and you will find yourselves involved in the show.
LJ Marles opens the show with the aerial straps, swinging over a bath of water, kicking his feet and swishing his hair to drench the front row. It is an extraordinary display of strength and elegance as he swings around the venue . When he returns in the second half dressed in red with kinky boots, it is another remarkable display of physical control.
Las Vegas double act, the Daredevil Chickens, are like nothing you have ever seen before and create raucous mayhem in both of their routines. In the first, a quick change routine goes disastrously wrong leaving the man naked until he borrows a sock from an audience member and in the second, you will never eat a banana again in the same way once you have seen their hilarious, and we suppose skilful, juggling .
David Pereira is another impressive performer on the silks as he too flies around the venue, although when he returns in the second half, it is an outrageous bizarre shaving act to the song ‘Hot Stuff’ which has the audience in fits of laughter.
The most impressive circus performer is Mike Bies, a French man on the Chinese pole. His serene balletic movements as he climbs, swings and slides down the pole are outstanding feats of strength and control. It is a phenomenal display that earned its applause.
Masha Teventieva presents an inventive gymnastic routine around a hotel luggage cart, again showing elegance, control and grace. Musical interludes are provided by Aviora Kirta with wonderful operatic delivery, especially in the sultry ‘That’s Life’.
Tara Boom takes hula hoop to a different level in a topless routine with a popcorn maker strapped to the head which is simply bizarre to watch but returns in Act Two to show a completely different side in an amazing balance routine using a parasol. The control of one and then four umbrellas is amazing .
However, the real treat of the birthday party is the return out of retirement of one of the original stars of the show, Ursula Martinez, the Youtube sensation who amuses as the Spanish singer in Act One and then reprises her unique magic act Hanky Panky. Not to be missed.
This is a show that has something for everyone over the age of 18. Very well staged, top class circus acts, and original and bizarre comedy. Happy Birthday La Clique!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne
La Clique plays at Edinburgh Festival Fringe until 24 August, with further info here.