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Sexy and twisting capers

Annelies GartnerThe West Australian
La Soiree.
Camera IconLa Soiree. Credit: Mogens Johansen

CABARET/CIRCUS

La Soiree

Ice Cream Factory

4 stars

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REVIEW ANNELIES GARTNER

After previously selling out three seasons, a Fringe World favourite has returned featuring a new line-up and a much-loved act.

On the opening night on Wednesday, the entertainment began with sexy puppeteers Cabaret Decadanse, below, who sang a mix of soul and cabaret. In an unexpected, welcome twist the male in the duo provided the sultry singer’s body.

Mallakhamb India were the first act to get the crowd whooping with their wooden pole act. Moving synchronously and seeming to meditate into the apparatus the cheeky pair spiced up the routine with some Bollywood moves.

Irina Bessonova and Vladimir Todorashko, the Ukraine double balancing act of contortion and comedy, included a refreshing role reversal and left the audience wondering how far the human body really can bend.

Will Meagher on his cyr wheel, an oversized hula hoop, showed precision on the small stage and sword swallower, Perth’s Lucky Hell, wowed her hometown crowd.

Heating up the room were Ben Lewis’ strength and agility on the aerial straps and La Soiree stable the red hanky act with Lily Martinez again pulling the item from unexpected places.

Even though he wasn’t on the bill, magician Charlie Caper’s ability to make multiple bottles of booze appear had everyone scratching their heads and wishing it was a skill they possessed.

After interval, Will Underwood provided one of the evening’s two highlights with his graceful drunk-on-the-Chinese-pole routine.

Genetically blessed brothers Alejandro and Ricardo Rossi were the other highlight with their Icarian Games act, which drove home the high risk associated with their special talents with a tumble.

The Honky Tonk woman, Carla Lippis, accompanied by some rock’n’roll guitar riffs, appeared multiple times in the show in an attempt to keep a common thread at play. But even though each element was polished the show lacked a host like Reuben Kaye, who tied together Club Swizzle last year, to meld this cabaret show into a seamless unit.

La Soiree is on until March 3.

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