On every occasion I’ve asked someone whether they wanted to see La Clique (and I’ve done it on probably about five occasions) I have had great difficulty answering the question of “What is it?” Now, having seen the show, I think I could probably go beyond my standard answer of “Um … I think it some sort of burlesque circus thing.” You’d probably agree that an answer such as that is hardly likely to convince someone to come see it with me though, to be fair, that’s kind of what La Clique is. I must have got Pauline in a weak moment because she actually agreed to see the show tonight with me without really asking too many questions. Hopefully she’ll agree that it was a very entertaining evening.

As its own website declares La Clique is impossible to describe (and resist!) so in the show’s own words it is best described as a fusion of “cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary variety.” Basically, it’s a collection of a load of different acts and performances including puppetry, balancing, hula hoops, contortion, magic, comedy, juggling, roller-skating, acrobatics, gymnastics, and dance. The major theme running through the show was music, comedy and entertainment and it delivered in all three. Its sexy as all get up too … well, some acts were anyway – in particular David O’Mer in his wearing-jeans-only-out-of-a-bath-tub-and-with-loads-of-water-aerial-piece (splash zone warning here!) Phew he was hot! Strangely less sexy considering the nudity, but no less engaging, was Ursula Martinez’s infamous “Hanky Panky” magic act. Lets just say she appears to pull a red hanky from somewhere it had no place being!

The whole show is held together by a guy called Mario who refers to himself as the Queen of the Circus (partly in reference to his obsession with Queen but partly also in reference to his particularly dramatic style of presenting) who, in addition to being one of the funniest MC’s (or circus leaders) I’ve seen in a while, also did some juggling, clowning and riding on a unicycle acts which where were all delivered with impeccable timing with a relevant Queen song. Some of his jokes were a bit dirty though.

I could name every act in the show and I probably nearly have but the one act that charmed the pants off me (not literally of course) was the contortionist and comedian Captain Frodo who actually had two pieces – one involving his incredibly and ridiculously flexible body and the other involving him climbing to the ceiling on steadily decreasing-sized buckets when eventually he is on top of a bucket the size of which seemed to be a tin of soup! During his contortion act Pauline could hardly watch him but the funniest, and most charming bit, was, no matter how awkward the position he was in, he would reach into his pocket and throw up a handful of confetti. It had Pauline and I in stitches. That he narrated the whole time he was doing his acts also made him pretty funny. Loved him and I think I nearly cried from laughing so much.

The actual “stage” of the circus was probably about only eight metres in diameter if that? It seemed very tiny but the cast did well to make the use of the Hippodrome space. And the front row seats are ringed right up near the stage so there is very little margin for error which makes the skills of the cast even more impressive. Due to the intimacy of the setting you are drawn right into the show which makes for a great atmosphere.

A fantastic show and fantastic night – see it before it closes! (For 18+ only!)