La Clique Noel – Part Deux

Nov 23 2018 | By More

★★★★☆     Spectacular

Festival Square Spiegeltent: 16 Nov 2018 – 5 Jan 2019
Review by Sarah Moyes
Tickets and details: Book here.

La Clique returns with an eclectic array of outrageous and magnificent circus cabaret to Edinburgh this festive season for Noel – Part Deux.

La Clique was born in Edinburgh at the Fringe in 2004 and last year made a mark on the Christmas scene in the capital. That being said, this isn’t a particularly festive show – unless you count the small Christmas tree that appears for a minute at the beginning and a few lines from a festive song at the end.

Bernie Dieter in La Clique Noel – Part Deux. Pic Ian Georgeson

Bernie Dieter is back as La Clique’s mistress of mayhem – to guide the audience through two hours of the maddest of circus cabaret performers you’re likely to see this Christmas.

She is utterly fantastic at getting the crowed hyped up for the show. Her outrageous manner has the audience in stitches throughout, as she introduces the burlesque dancers, jugglers and magicians of La Clique family before they perform in front of the show’s live band Danie Bourne and La Clique Palace Orkestra.



Paul Zenon brings both comedy and magic to the proceedings, which he does well – even when the audience member he selected for his first trick forgot which card she had selected. As he points out, it’s harder to do magic in a venue that’s round and covered in mirrors, but he’s still able to leave the audience wondering how he has pulled off the routine.

Heather Holliday’s act is not really for the squeamish – she swallows swords and fire-eats her way through the show – but no one can argue that it isn’t incredible. She even manages to pull out from her bag of magic, a few unexpected items to swallow – which offers up a nice surprise to an act which could have been a little predicable.

hysterics

Bernie Dieter’s own full spot as the first act closer is a highlight of the night. She scouts the audience for men before picking her favourites – shaven haven, beardy, and mega beard. Clambering on to them she then demands they rub her down – while the audience watches on in hysterics. During what can only be described as the least graceful lift ever performed, the men then carry her back onto the stage nearly dropping her as they do so.

Heather Holliday. Pic: Ian Georgeson

Florian Brooks is a new addition to this year’s show and impresses with his elegant performance as he dances around the stage juggling bowling skittles. Which might seem rather simple, but each move in this old-fashioned routine is so in sync with the music that you could easily watch him all night.

Also making her La Clique debut is Mosh, a beautiful burlesque dancer from Moscow whose only flaw is being given such a short spot that we don’t get the chance to fully appreciate her.

Stephen Williams’ dance routine in the first act was a bit wobbly, but he redeems himself as he closes the show with an impressive aerial act. He swings around the ceiling on aerial ropes over a bath of water, splashing the audience as he spins and turns.

Stephen Williams in La Clique Noel – Part Deux. Pic Ian Georgeson

The Spiegeltent is the perfect venue for a show like this. The small central stage, surrounded by seating, provides an intimate setting so you feel up and close with the acts, yet it still has a very grand feel to it all.

La Clique might not be the most festive show in this year’s winter calendar, but it’s fun and outrageous with stunts that will have you on the edge of your seat. A truly entertaining extravaganza that deserves to be seen this Christmas.

Running time: Two hours, including one interval
Festival Square Spiegeltent, Festival Square, Lothian Road, EH3 9SR.
Phone booking: 0131 510 0395
Tuesday to Sunday. Run ends Saturday January 5 2019
Tue, Wed Fri: 8pm; Thurs: 6pm & 9pm; Sat: 5pm & 8pm. Sun: 4pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.

ENDS

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  1. Listings 19 – 25 November 2018 : All Edinburgh Theatre.com | Aug 30 2019