La Clique

Published Monday 13 October 2008 at 13:15 by Paul Vale

The international sensation La Clique have pitched their big top at London’s Hippodrome in Leicester Square, bringing to London the very best in alternative specialist acts from around the world. At its most simple, La Clique is a survivor of the variety circuit from the last century. But whereas the ‘spesh act’ would be supporting the top-of-the-bill comedian of vocalist, La Clique are themselves a company of headliners. This heady mix of danger, comedy and sex, carefully threaded together to provide a hugely entertaining evening, makes Cirque de Soleil seem positively establishment.

London’s current femme fatale with a penchant for sword-swallowing, Miss Behave, weaves her latex clad body throughout the evening. Puppeteers Cabaret Decadanse open the show, knocking the audience sideways with their larger-than-life puppet divas. The English Gents, a quirky acrobatic duo, perform gravity defying feats in formal business attire. Ursula Martinez’s mischievous disappearing hanky trick has the audience squealing with delight, whilst Yulia Pikhtina captivates with her graceful hula-hoop display.

David O’Mer proves very popular with the audience, not only for his innate physical perfection, but also for the sheer grace and strength of his bath-tub aerial ballet - honestly, that’s the only way to describe it. Clarke McFarlane is Mario, Queen of the Circus, a reference to his passion for the rock band rather than a slur on his masculinity, and finally Captain Frodo, the most imaginative, and perhaps more importantly, hysterical contortion act you are ever likely to see. La Clique are here for the party season, making perfect use of this great central London venue. If the dark nights are bringing you down, then this is the show guaranteed to chase off the winter blues.