Roll up, roll up – the circus is back in town! Last seen in London in 2011, multi award-winning cult hit La Soirée returns to the capital celebrating a triumphant world tour and the 10 year anniversary of the troupe’s first show.
Fresh from a six month residency at the spectacular Union Square Theatre in New York, a whirl around Australia and touring the land of the midnight sun, La Soirée returns at last to London.
Of course it is to London that the show returns to celebrate a decade on the road. London is the city that gave the little show with a big heart an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, four record-breaking, sell-out seasons at iconic venues including the heart-thumping Roundhouse and the decadent Hippodrome. London holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the company as the show’s creative producer Brett Haylock explains, “London is where audiences and critics fell in love with our dysfunctional family like no other. For our contemporary carnies and troubadours of no fixed abode, London is home.”
This Christmas La Soirée will be at Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival, in the shadow of the London Eye and with a view of Big Ben, returning to the sumptuous Spiegeltent of their 2010 season – a velvet draped salon of carved wood, polished mirrors, crystal and leadlight. The La Soirée Spiegeltent at Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival will be host to the small round red stage from 5th November 2014 for a strictly limited 10 week run until 11th January 2015.
La Soirée’s heady cocktail of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary variety is more potent than ever this year as Haylock and co introduce some of the newest members to their ever-expanding and truly international family: “We’ve been away from London for three years and have discovered extraordinary talents on our travels, so there’s a new generation of cabaret stars joining very dear old friends as well”. It promises to be their hottest line up yet, so step in from the cold, leave your troubles at the door as you prepare to be amazed, astonished and aroused by the very crème de la crème of the cabaret world:
THE ENGLISH GENTS
Heralding from Australia, Denis Lock and Hamish McCann are two delightfully devilish and cordial “English” gentlemen who perform inconceivable feats of acrobatic skill, strength and balance, whilst casually puffing a pipe, reading the newspaper and sporting the stiffest of British upper lips. The act mixes their highly skilled feats with a dry English wit, unexpectedly climaxing with the two hilariously baring near-all for Queen and country and in the process displaying more sex appeal than ever before seen under a bowler hat.
And as for Hamish McCann’s one-of-a-kind pole routine, let’s just say it’s sure to leave you ‘feeling good’…
SCOTTY THE BLUE BUNNY
The spandex-clad spectacle Scotty sings, fiddles, twirls, performs magic and busts really big balloons with his butt. There’s nothing he can’t do in a bunny suit, a philosophy that’s meant he’s got much farther in life being blue. Scotty will also be making his debut with La Soirée in London.
URSULA MARTINEZ
Hailing from Spain via Croydon, Ursula Martinez is a renowned writer, actress and cabaret performer. Her cult striptease act with its mischievous disappearing hanky is a jaw-dropping sensation. From highbrow to lowbrow and from live art to loquacious party tricks, Martinez treads where few performers dare to go, with the audience right there along for the ride. Expect to emerge from her act with a rudimentary knowledge of bawdy Spanish and a surprising awareness of anatomy.
JESS LOVE
This whirlwind of energy is Australian dynamo, Jess Love. A veteran of Circus Oz, The Candy Butchers and The Burlesque Hour she has an array of traditional skills to her name but a very unorthodox approach to using them. She’s a sassy physical comedienne with a cute-as-a-button demeanor, who nevertheless tips a cheeky wink to the twisted soul of burlesque. Succumb to the quirky charms of this doe-eyed charmer, and in a flash of fizzing rope, she will have stolen your heart and left you swooning.
MARCUS MONROE
Comedian and juggler extraordinaire Marcus has brought his unique brand of humor, wit and specialty juggling to audiences from China to the Caribbean. Joining La Soirée for the first time in London - be prepared to be spell-bound by the New Yorker’s electric on-stage presence.
DAVID AND FOFO
%2BOlivia%2BRutherford.bmp)
New to the La Soirée family are David & Fofo! These two Swedes will amaze with their inspiring performances which feature ping-pong balls, juggling, acrobatics and trapeze work. Their sometimes odd, always high-energy works is an unmissable new addition to this year's line-up.
ASHER TRELEAVEN
La Soirée is proud to welcome back sexual gentleman and overall bon vivant, Asher Treleaven, into the folds of its ample bosom. One of Australia's most critically-acclaimed comedians, the former drama school dropout but accomplished circus school graduate has travelled the world over with his unique blend of physical comedy, socially responsible rhetoric and overenthusiastic sexual patter, racking up awards and nominations on his winding path. Not sure whether to laugh or blush? Have no fear - sit back, try to relax and enjoy this indescribable ride!
JONATHAN BURNS
Born with the gifts of flexibility, curiosity, and goofiness, Jonathan Burns always thought he was a special child - the kid who would put his leg over his head in gym class, get the dance party started at any wedding, or perform musical armpit farts to impress the girls. With such a wealth of skills, it was only fair that he share his geeky brand of comic genius and physical prowess with audiences worldwide. In fits of giggles, La Soirée is thrilled to welcome this anatomically incorrect, flexible comedian to the London fold. He’ll be sure to have you in stitches.
SAULO & ANNA
It is with pulses racing that we proudly introduce Saulo & Anna, the world’s one and only flying pole duo. Smoldering Spaniard Saulo Sarmiento won the Cirque du Soleil Special Prize for innovation and originality for his astonishing act on the aerial pole – an awe-inspiring piece of kit we’re pretty sure you’ve never seen before. Throw into the mix the ethereal beauty and spellbinding skill of Finland’s Anna De Carvalho and we can guarantee that sparks will fly as the two soar through the air in a bittersweet aerial duet.
Further acts to be announced and many surprise special guests to be discovered throughout the run!
La Soirée is presented in London by Brett Haylock, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin.
