The other night, I had the absolute privilege of attending La Clique at the Spiegeltent in Leicester Square – a magical night of jaw-dropping circus and cabaret. From the moment you step inside, the vintage decor makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time, to an era before shows were overcomplicated with plots and characters, when people just wanted to be impressed and amazed. The tent is small, intimate even, and every seat offers an excellent view of the action. I’m not going to lie, when I saw the size of the stage – a raised, circular platform barely two metres across – I thought, this is going to be a tiny show. My concerns, however, were unfounded, and you will be blown away by what’s about to happen on this small stage.
This show is not just about mind-blowing feats of strength and skill; it’s unapologetically sexy. The acrobats wear as little as possible without compromising their acts, performing with a mix of grace, humour, and raw physical power. Whether you’re there for the jaw-dropping stunts or the undeniable eye candy (beautiful people of all varieties), there’s something for everyone. That said, it’s important to note that this isn’t a family-friendly show – it’s for adults, full of laughter, thrills, and a touch of filth.
The evening kicked off with a breathtaking hair-hanging act by Miranda Menzies, who soared through the air, her entire weight supported only by her hair. It set the tone for the night: daring, unconventional, and utterly mesmerising. Then came an acrobatic goldfish routine, hilariously performed by Florian Brooks, which has to be seen to be believed. The show also featured the tap-dancing Kiwi, Bayley Graham, whose sparkly charm and razor-sharp rhythm brought the house down. Asher Treleaven, meanwhile, between his “sexy Diablo” routine and reading hilariously filthy passages from his favourite novel, had the audience in fits, blending comedy with just the right amount of shock factor.
One of the standout acts was a silks performance by Katherine Arnold (or as my friend Vikki calls her weekly silks class, “curtain climbing”), where she spun high above the stage, defying gravity and logic. A roller-skating duo, Isis Clegg-Vinell and Nathan Price later wowed the crowd with a dizzying display of speed and skill that had everyone gasping. The tension in the room was palpable throughout, and I kept wanting to cover my eyes but found myself unable to look away! These performers were incredible, executing every move with precision – this didn’t stop my wife from, several times, flinching as if she was preparing herself to catch a 40-kilo woman in roller skates!
The acrobats brought another level of physicality, with jaw-dropping feats of strength on that tiny stage. Whether it was trapeze work by Cornelius Atkinson or perfectly balanced one handstands by Danik Abishev, their precision and sheer upper body strength (not to mention their naked upper bodies) were breathtaking to witness. Every daring move was met with gasps and applause.
The combination of acrobatics, comedy, and cabaret makes La Clique one of the most unique and exhilarating nights out. My wife had seen it before and raved about how phenomenal it was then. This time? Just as incredible. This was an evening of entertainment that truly had it all – beauty, danger, and a whole lot of fun.
If you’re looking for a fabulous show that’ll have you on the edge of your seat, La Clique sticks the landing perfectly. Get your tickets before the show falls unceremoniously off the stage – unlike the performers – on 5th January!
Tickets available from https://lacliquetheshow.com/
Words by Nick Barr
Photography by Craig Sugden
