Promising a mix of circus, cabaret, comedy and burlesque, La Clique makes its return to London in celebration of its 20th year.
The small, round stage is set with the audience grouped in chairs around it – a couple of acts take place on a additional stage set off to one side.
La Clique creator and director David Bates assumes something of an MC role, although most transitions between acts pass in darkness. The acts provide variety, but the show felt a little uneven at times.
Danik Abishev is a hand and ladder balancer who joins the company for the first time this year. With fire and some cheeky teasing, he provides a breathtaking feat of risk in act one.
Aerial work from Cornelius Atkinson provides grace, finesse and strength, while hair hanger Miranda Menzies offers stylish suspension in her first appearance, and balloon immersion in her second.
Roller skating duo Isis Clegg-Vinell (a former GB gymnast) and Nathan Price were one of the night’s highlights, offering speed and sensuality to their routine to Guns ‘n’ Roses’ pulsing “Welcome to the Jungle”.
La Clique has the art of movement, too , with Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Bayley Graham, who offers a frenzy of flirty tap dancing.
Returning favourites include juggler Florian Brooks, who wowed with his club-catching routine and his hoop twirl with added goldfish. Don’t worry, no swimmers were harmed during this production!
Katherine Arnold’s aerial silks offered artistic beauty, and as Trio Vertex, Atkinson, Price and Clegg-Vinell demonstrate the trust these acts have to have in each other to make their stunts look easy.
Also in the show is comic Asher Treleaven. His diablo manipulation was OK, but his recitation left me cold. Luckily, there is enough in the rest of the show to entertain, but more edge, cheek, and sparkle would be welcome.
***.5
Slick, daring, and a festive institution, La Clique continues until 5 Jan in the heart of Leicester Square – Fri/Sat there are additional shows as La Clique Lates. Tickets for both here.
Over-16s only.