REVIEW: LA SOIRÉE (Auckland Arts Festival)

Review by Sharu Delilkan with Tim Booth

The English Gents (Photo: Daniel James Grant)

[Join the Party]

It is not surprising to learn that LA SOIRÉE scooped up the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Entertainment for their London season.

It would be a lie if I said I was expecting amazing things from tonight’s performance, having seen a slew of passable to mediocre cabaret/circus shows in the recent past.  However it’s not often that you get to say that a show delivered what it promised and so much more — that was definitely the case with LA SOIRÉE.

Made up of virtuoso elements of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary vaudeville, LA SOIRÉE creates another dimension of pure entertainment that’s not only raw to the core but that displays irrefutable skill and immense vitality, resulting in an audience in fits of laughter.

And it is this injection of humour that is the gives this already slick and scintillating production its edge.  Delivered with an absolute tongue-in-cheek irreverence right from the get, we know that we’re in for a treat as soon as the lights go down.

The LA SOIRÉE’s talented troupe’s ability to take the usual suspects that make up a circus show and warp in into a winning series of surprising and shocking spectacles – giving this twisted show its unique character.  And the ability to infuse that with the type of humour that the English do best is most definitely the icing on the cake.

To say I loved this show would be a gross understatement.  LA SOIRÉE has everything rolled in and more that I want and need from a naughty, nasty enticing festival in celebration of the weird wonderful and amazing.

Being up close to such incredible skill in magic, physicality, showmanship and craziness really brought that special something to the Spiegeltent tonight.  LA SOIRÉE  basically stuck a dagger through the heart of conventional performance and entertainment, and I loved it.

This show took us away from any of our troubles because of it consistent ability to amaze and surprise.

So if you’re feeling weird and frisky come see this show. You will not be alone.

This is an outrageous night out that everybody should be part off, even if just a little. Be there.

LA SOIRÉE plays at the Spiegeltent, Aotea Square, until 26 March. Details see Auckland Arts Festival

SEE ALSO: Metro Magazine review by James Wenley

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