Definitely adults only entertainment this is bright, bold, brash and at times lusciously rude and vulgar – a wickedly delightful evening. This latest incarnation of LA SOIREE a mix of cabaret and vaudeville, quirky burlesque, variety and sideshow for this season combines a list of familiar and new performers. Original cast member Miss Behave has returned to the show in Sydney after a time in its Broadway version, as does British cabaret performer Ursula Martinez. Sultry Canadian aerial artists Hugo Desmarais and Katharine Arnold make their Sydney debut.. The acts here are smartly built and finely tuned, huge talents presented with glamour and drama, sort of trying to catch a Speigeltent feel. Add lots of dry ice, strobe and other lighting, a grand piano , fabulous costumes , drinks available at two bars and voila! LA SOIREE.
Legendary Gerry Connelly as HM the Queen opening the programme was magnificent, resplendent in a glorious white gown and tiara. (Her?) incisive speech was full of current topical in- jokes – boat people , ‘owning’ Australia , the succession, spluttering and coughing attempting to pronounce ‘Camilla’. Hilariously brilliant – excellently done Ma’am.
Saucy ‘Miss Behave’ , poured into a tightly laced red rubber dress ,‘borrowing’ drinks from audience members, swallowing scissors , or putting a thorned rose stem through her tongue , even swallowing a table leg had the audience eating out of her hand, laughing and shuddering in disbelief as she neatly absorbed various objects. Do not try this at home!!
Ursula Martinez, hailing from Spain via Croydon, in Act 1 has a very hot and steamy striptease number with a disappearing red hanky that stops the show. She is deceptively demure at the beginning yet by the end leaves nothing to the imagination. It is, she says, the only magic trick she knows .In Act2 she has a very witty , funny act “I want to be ethnic “ in which the audience is treated to some Flamenco style guitar among other things and learns some naughty Spanish words .Ole !
A major hit of the evening is the extraordinary large than life bearded Le Gateau Chocolat – an opera singing diva. His dramatic, blinding entrance to ‘Nessun Dorma’ was a knockout, his voice and range (and huge eyes) astonishing . With some incredible often lycra based drag costumes ranging from green as the Riddler to beautiful dresses and a fantastic silver hooded outfit he provides outrageous deliveries of everything from pop-rock to opera and musicals ( a killing send up of ‘The Sound of Music’ in Act2 for example) with a superb baritone that knocks your socks off . Audiences might remember him from the 2012 season of La Soiree or from his Sydney Fringe show the same year.
The aerialist and balancing acts superb full of breathtaking wonder and quite dangerous at times. Ryan McCarthy was amazing in Act1 with his straps, incorporating a spinning, almost martial arts feel. Hanging by one arm above our heads, he tumbles and cavorts in mid-air, creating beautiful and impossible shapes, like falling, rippling silk. Hugo a Desmarais and Catherine Arnold with their what could be described as a hollow cube perform a very sexy, intimate, risky and enchanting balance/trapeze aerialist act.
One of Sweden’s finest circus acts ‘David and Fofo’ enthralled the audience with ping pong ball, juggling and balancing acrobatics that have to be seen to be believed! Their act uses the popping, bopping rhythm and percussion like sounds of the bouncing balls at certain points. And yes they use ABBA music.
Hang on tightly – For one last swan song coming out of retirement are the legendary circus royalty ‘The Skating Wilers’, who have been amazing audiences around the world with their astonishing roller-skating act for over 28 years ! Jean Pierre Poissonnet and Wanda Azzario featured in Act1 on a tiny raised platform which is a very tightly choreographe, dangerous roller skating act full of dips ,twists ,spins , bends and thrills at breakneck speeds that dazzle and defy gravity. It is sort of retro 1950’s in style with Possonnet dressed as Elvis.
Delightful Jess Love was snazzy and amazing in her spiffy hula hoop act in Act1 and then her skipping solo in Act2, both including tap dancing and full of almost contortionist like thrills rounds out the exciting energetic bill.
Running time- 1 hour 45 mins (approx) including one interval
LA SOIREE is in its final weeks at the Studio at the Sydney Opera House .It must close March 16 .Quick book now don’t miss out!