La Soirée

Perhaps the most popular of Fringe World's attractions, La Soirée won Best Cabaret at last year's Fringe World Festival, and with capacity crowds and an extended season, La Soirée is again the talk of the town.

With an exciting collection of circus, cabaret and burlesque performers, some of whom have Fringe World shows in their own right, the performance line-up can vary from night to night.

The show reviewed opened with the amazing voice of Yana Alana, alter-ego of Sarah Ward. Wildly inappropriate, she is anything but bland and delivers several surprises over her successive appearances.

The English Gents, Denis Lock and Hamish McCann, deliver a beautifully mannered, gravity defying acrobatic and balance act that is absolutely mesmerising (and not just because these lads are lovely to look at). Both performers reappear in very different acts in the second half, which are both captivating and beautiful.

Satya Bella twirls multiple hoops, in varied directions in a stunning display of agility and flexibilty. Mario, Queen of the Circus (Clarke McFarlane) delivers two, very different, very clever, very funny Queen inspired acts. Mooky Cornish is an utterly charming comedienne, whose ability to work an audience is outstanding.

Aerialists - the stunning Weimar inspired Bret Pfister, and kitten heeled, cigar smoking and sexy Yammal Rodriguez, amaze the audience with their talents. Contortionist Captain Frodo performs amazing feats with much self effacing humour, although if you are the sort of person who feels squeamish about dislocations, a trip to the bar during his act may be in order.

Gloriously intimate, this smorgasbord of entertainment offers something for everyone and is stunning, sexy and laugh out loud funny. There is a joy inherent in the whole package that is La Soirée, with everyone from the ushers, through the host and every performer feels determined to give everyone a great time. A joyous show to see.

Kimberley Shaw