Mario, Queen of the Circus, had it right. In a world where everyone was trying to be the first to post to Instagram, he wagged his finger and said: “It’s just for you, just for now!”
It so neatly illustrated what a strange society we’ve become. As each performer took part in ever more daring feats – twirling on ropes suspended from the ceiling, swallowing swords (yes, really!) or using a hula hoop in the nude – there were the inevitable cameras raised to capture the moment.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking La Clique is some profound drama. It’s 70 minutes of boisterous, unbounded high energy in a series of eight artists from the circus, cabaret or late night adults only clubs. Definitely not the sort of thing you see often under the sails of our beloved Opera House.
It is celebrating its 20th year – and we can see why. This is what late night entertainment ought to be – fabulously outrageous and very funny. Camp and comedic. Sexy and salacious.
Image by Daniel Boud
Ebony Bott, Head of Contemporary Performance at the Sydney Opera House says: “La Clique combines old-world charm and irreverent joy to create an unforgettable night out. For this milestone season, audiences can expect an evening of unadulterated fun as they enjoy an intoxicating blend of burlesque, cabaret, variety and modern vaudeville. “
True – but this is certainly no look back at history. Consider David Pereira’s take on shaving. He lathers his entire nude body in foam and allows the audience to take a razor to his skin. It’s certainly bold and different. And he is an accomplished acrobat who was practising ballet at 12 and joined Cirque du Soleil by 18.
Or consider Heather Holliday, who held the title of the Youngest Female Sword Swallower in the world at one stage and features on the label of Coney Island Sword Swallower Lager. This New Yorker set two new Guinness World Records: the “Longest neon tube swallowed” (at 54.40 cm) and the “Largest curve in a sword swallowed while seated” (with an angle of 90 degrees).
Image by Daniel Boud
You see both in this show and a dare you not to wriggle in your set as the swords go down her throat. The show is pulled together by David Bates, self described Spiegelmaestro from Victoria with a fascinating history. He pioneered the use of spiegeltents, introducing Australia to its very first spiegeltent in 2000 and creating The Garden of Unearthly Delights in Adelaide.
Bates conceived and produced La Clique in 2004, inspiring an entire performance genre and resulting in numerous international awards for the show, such as the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in London’s West End, and industry recognition for Bates, including the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Icon Award.
In 2008 The Famous Spiegeltent took up residence on the Forecourt of the Sydney Opera House for an unrivalled five weeks.
This is a show filled with fun – but the performers are among the best in the world, top class athletes, acrobats and high-wire acts that will have you holding your breath. It has a short run at the Studio, so hurry – you don’t get to see a show like this in Sydney often enough.
La Clique
WHEN: 10 October – 17 November 2024
WHERE: Studio, Sydney Opera House
PRICES: From $79.90 + $8.95 booking fee
