Review: LA SOIREE, Spiegeltent, Leicester Square, 17 November 2016

After a successful world tour that saw over 75 artists with over 150 acts touch the hearts of more than 25 cities in both hemispheres, La Soirée comes back home where they began their adventure eight years ago. The show graces the atmospheric setting of the Spiegeltent at Christmas in Leicester Square, and, act after act, the show is jaw-dropping.

From a powerhouse singer to a trapeze artist, from a hoola-hooping sensation to vaudeville slapstick comedians, the 11 performers (seven single acts and two couples) will enchant with their finesse and ease, right after making your sides hurt from all the laughs. Definitely not entertainment for all the family, their 18+ suggestion is to be taken seriously, as the artists are not afraid to bare it all.

The smoky, dusty circus ambience before the show starts is in striking contrast to the glitzy glam of the performances. Lasers and spotlight cut through the smoke and you'll start wondering what kind of show you came to see, but don't be fooled: once Acantha Lang steps into the bullseye to wow you with her powerhouse voice, you'll realise you really have left your troubles at the door - like the MC asked you to do before the show started - and begun the journey through a dizziness of talent, sequins, bowler hats, and abs.

Highlights include the extravagant Captain Frodo, the contortionist from Norway; Daredevil Chicken (Marc and Svetlana), the sexually open American couple from Las Vegas; and Ursula Martinez, who is half-Spanish and from Croydon and who will sing to you about vaginas, Brexit, Trump and masturbation, and leave you with an unexpected surprise at the end.

The poshness-with-a-twist of The English Gents (Denis Hock and Hamish McCann) and the sophistication of aerialist Jarred Dewey go well with storytelling juggler Olivia Porter's quirkiness and Satya Bella's impressive poise with her light-up hula hoops, while model-faced newcomer David Girard makes your heart skip a beat with his cirQle.

Entertaining from start to finish and presented in variety form, it's a display of brilliant comedians and artist-athletes. Chapeau to Willie Suddon and Betty Simers - lightning and sound designer respectively - who play a major role in setting the right mood that helps the acts truly dazzle.

La Soirée runs at the Spiegeltent at Christmas in Leicester Square until 8 January, with a special New Year's Eve party planned

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