Here we go again. In 2008 cabaret-meets-circus hit La Clique gave Londoners a respite from the credit crunch. On the brink of another recession here is the sequel. La Soirée throws La Clique's variety formula into the air to produce a sexy, slapstick, eye-poppingly scary spectacular.
For a while it looked as if La Soirée lacked surprises. Lycra-clad bearded baritone Le Gateau Chocolat opened with a drowsy Nessun Dorma, regular guest Mario did his usual turn, juggling balls and smutty innuendo.
Then new duo Chris and Iris grabbed everyone's attention with some high-flying acrobatics, the 6ft 5in Chris lobbing and catching his partner as if playing with a tennis ball. Suddenly the hits kept coming. Nate Cooper, dressed like a Bullingdon Club toff except on roller skates, tossed machetes. Canadian clown Mooky Cornish indulged in full-on audience embarrassment. Ukrainian Yulia Pykhtina did magical things with her hula hoops.
The ante was constantly upped. David Armand delivered his witty literal mime to Natalie Imbruglia's Torn, The English Gents offered gravity-mocking balancing. Hugo Desmarais and Katharine Arnold, backed by a more on-song Le Gateau Chocolat, rose towards the rafters in an erotically charged aerial display, which was the biggest hit with an audience who included actors Emilia Fox and Jonathan Pryce.
It was left to veteran roller duo The Skating Willers to close. Jean-Pierre Poisonnet and Wanda Azzario are the epitome of cheesiness but when they started spinning, one could forgive their crimes against fashion. Wanda claims she is about to retire. Like La Soirée, I hope the Willers run and run.
Until January 29 (0844 482 8008, la-soiree.com/)
La Soiree
Roundhouse
Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, NW1 8EH
