La Clique, C’est Chic: Underbelly Leicester Square
As workplace injuries go it’s a given that sword swallowing is an accident waiting to happen.
So it was as no great surprise to find that Heather Holliday, a sassy New Yorker who as a teenager held the title of Youngest Sword Swallower in the world, was suffering a sword-related mishap on opening night and had to ditch her act at La Clique’s Christmas cabaret at Leicester Square.
Instead, the vintage star emblazoned on the front of the glossy programme in sword swallowing mode, resorted to the second string of her bow: fire eating for a display of fearsome flaming torches, dragon breath and whirling fiery nipple tassels.
Ms Holliday – now recovered – is just one of the crazy and daring acts showcased under the canvas of the Spiegeltent, an international circus of cabaret, burlesque and vaudeville.
It’s as bright and brash as a bauble on a Christmas tree, slick but rather too thin.
It’s a quick-fire whirlwind of short performances including steel ring-riding cowboy Charlie Wheeller, a waiter with insane juggling skills (Florian Brooks), hair-hanging bravado by Zoe Marshall, aerial contortions from Lydia Norman, song, satire and striptease.
There are strong vocals from Kelly Wolfgramm and a talented jazzy band, La Clique Palace Orkestra. Bring a waterproof for splashing antics of the ripped Scots gymnast Jamie Swan, master of the bath tub.
My personal favourite: a cropped-haired blonde who starts her act fully-clothed as a rather androgynous figure with magic powers to ‘disappear’ her red hankie. With slight of hand, and other areas of her eventually stark naked body, she leaves you marvelling at her saucy sorcery.
Mistress of ceremonies Bernie Dieter, German-born of circus stock, stamps her sexy identity on the all too brief evening’s entertainment, spearing her sequinned stiletto heels on chests of hapless, helpless audience victims: men.
After one miserable display of audience non-participation _ the chap in the striped shirt just wasn’t up for the orgasmic moan demanded _ she recruited four more malleable males she named Fifty Shades of Grey, Beardy, Baldy and T-Shirt as her fumbling, fondling sex slaves.
The circus was over all to soon. For a 19.45 start to finish at 21.15 with a 20 minute interval we left wanting more.
- Belle received complimentary tickets for the purpose of an honest review.
- Show runs till Saturday 4th January, Monday – Thursday at 7.45pm, Friday & Saturday, 7pm and 10pm. No performances Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. See www.lacliquetheshow.com for more info or call the Box Office on 03333 444167. Ticket prices start from £19.50.
