The English Gentlemen Photo Prudence Upton
La Soirée is the hottest cabaret ticket in Sydney this summer and you should book a ticket before it sells out. Basically La Clique taken out of the Spiegeltent, though with mostly the same faces and impeccably costumed team both on and off stage, the show rolls out an A list line-up of Australian and international circus and cabaret acts.
The cast varies nightly, but at last Saturday’s late night show (10pm- highly recommended) we had the pants charmed off us by the wowing, acrobatic English Gents (Denis Lock and Hamish McCann, pictured), the hilarious double jointed watch-me-dislocate-my-shoulder-and-squeaze-through-this-tennis-racket Captain Frodo, sparkly Australian hooler hooper Jess Love and the utterly adorable Canadian clown Mooky. We experienced an exquisite and poetic hoop act from hip New Yorker Bret Pfister, the did-she-really-just-do- that ‘disappearing hanky’ magic/striptese act from Ursula Martinez and the lycra clad, singing, audience clambering Le Gateau Chocolat. The show stopping, mouth watering closing act is, the bath trapeze number from Berliner David O’Mer, La Clique’s pin up boy (plastic sheets provided!)
Most of these act have been playing for years now, but that is why they are so sharp and impressively, none of them look or feel in the slighted bit tired. And despite having seen many of these numbers before, each is as engaging as the first time. It’s this total engagement of the audience from beginning to end of the spectacle that creative director Brett Haylock masters. We are in his and his cast and crew’s expert hands in a universe that is colourful and interactive and transcending. We’re all tickled and seduced.
The small stage, in the round seating and bar (open during the show) within the Studio Theatre of the Opera house help re-create a spiegeltent-esque carnival ambiance. The acts slide smoothly along, framed by Haylock’s ring master character. And watching the sheer joy, surprise and humour on the opposite audience members’ faces ads yet another element of entertainment.
The only thing missing is a bar to tap dance on with inspired beats at the end…. But then again, rubbing shoulders with the cast at the outdoor Opera Bar, with the best view in the world, is a not entirely unpleasant alternative.
La Soirée is now playing at the Sydney Opera House.
www.la-soiree.com and tickets www.sydneyoperahouse.com or call 02 9290 7777
