Circus For Grown-Ups: Rouge @ Underbelly
London’s Underbelly Festival is in full swing, keeping the much-loved Southbank full of excitement throughout the summer season.
The festival runs from April through to September and there is plenty to choose from to suit all tastes and desires.
We at Belle were lucky to be invited to see Rouge, the Award winning ‘circus for grown ups’ from Australia. Fresh from Edinburgh’s Fringe festival, Rouge has won awards including Best Circus Adelaide Fringe 2019 and Fringeworld 2019.
Entering the arena late last week we picked a couple of front row seats for the best view. Be warned – this saw us in prime position for becoming part of the show, and we starred as, er, a chair prop for one of the star performers… That is the risk of a front row seat, but one we’re glad we took.
The show started flamboyantly and with a bang. The next hour was edge of your seat stuff with many hair-raising and wow moments. Prepare to view half the show through trembling fingers.
Rouge was utterly brilliant! It was energetic, fun, funny, alluring, seductive, provocative and daring, displaying some of the best acrobatic skills we have seen; there was fire breathing and impressive trapeze too.
As entertaining as it was, what really had an impact was the humour of the show. It didn’t take itself too seriously. Where else would you find performers dressed as lampshades, or magical unicorn eating a carrot resembling a certain body part while being whipped? Only at Rouge!
The music was fabulous and fitting, alternating between old classics and chart-topping hits.
Rouge is a medley of circus, cabaret, dance, ballet, comedy and even a love story.
The show ended with a few words from one of its stars Paul Westbrook who after thanking the audience and his colleagues described the show a celebration of all bodies and sexualities beyond the binary. Viva la Rouge!
The Rouge family are a very special group of brave and dedicated entertainers with such creativity and a wonderful rapport with their audience, so much passion and talent, it really was wonderful to see.
Rouge finishes on Sunday 15 September so grab your ticket while you can; tickets cost from £21.50.
- Underbelly Festival Southbank, 30 The Queen’s Walk, Lambeth, London SE1 8XX; Nearest Tube: Waterloo
