La Clique Burlesque Reopens London Hippodrome Date: 27 August 2008
Edinburgh cult hit La Clique will visit London for the first time this autumn when it will reopen Leicester Square’s historic Hippodrome as a public performance venue. The international burlesque cabaret opens on 10 October 2008 (previews from 2 October) at the Hippodrome, where it’s initially booking through 1 February 2009, with additional late-night weekend performances from 11 October.
According to promotional material, La Clique is “impossible to define and impossible to resist”, a mixture of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow and contemporary variety. Its eclectic and ever-changing assortment of acts includes: Norwegian contortionist Captain Frodo; Spanish stripper Ursula Martinez; Germany’s David O’Mer (pictured), who has re-invented the pleasures of a nice soak in the tub; hula hoopist Yulia Pikhtina from Kiev; the English Gents performing their inconceivable feats of human strength and skill; London’s own PVC-clad fetishist Miss Behave; the puppets of Montreal’s Cabaret Decadanse; and New York alternative comedian and Freddy Mercury reincarnation Mario.
La Clique has performed seasons around the world including Sydney, Melbourne, Montreal, Dublin and New York in addition to regular summer stints at the Edinburgh Fringe, where it’s annually one of the hottest tickets at the festival.
First constructed by Frank Matcham in 1900 as a water circus, the Hippodrome’s early performances featured elephants, polar bears and sea lions which all frolicked in its 100,000-litre pool. A varied history has seen it operate as the location for one of Harry Houdini’s greatest escapes; and in the 1960s and 1970s, the stage was graced by the likes of Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Ethel Merman and The Temptations in its incarnation as the dinner-dance venue Talk of The Town. It was purchased in the early 1980s by Peter Stringfellow who turned it into a nightclub and returned it to its original name, the Hippodrome. Most recently, the venue has been used for private events only.
La Clique is produced in London by La Clique Productions, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin.
You should officially complain to the company about the security as it is damaging their reputation. - nicole
11 May 09
I was interested to read the comment about the Security. We also had an awesome time watching the show, then at the end whilst the music was still playing and people were being encouraged to stay on for drinks, a young girl took to dancing on the Le Clique stage until Rambozo the security man quite unpleasantly removed her in such that would have left her feeling very embarrassed, and myself thinking "how un Le Clique". It just seemed poles apart from the vibe of the Le Clique show and crew. I can understand them not wanting people on the stage, but there are ways and ways to get a message across. - Sharon
30 Apr 09
We had a wonderful time tonight and thoroughly enjoyed the show. After the show, members of the cast came to talk to us at the bar, however after immediatey after they left were were aggressively told to leave, having been told we had out stayed our welcome. We were not even allowed to use the toilet before we left, being told by the security that we should have gone earlier (when the cast were talking to us). When we asked to use these basic facilites before we left we were aggressively man handled from the premeises with excessive force.
We have never, experienced such behaviour before and having previously had such a wonderful evening, we were left shocked and shaken by being treated as such. We will never return to Le Clique (as we had previosuly decided) and are will now actively discourage all our friends from attending based on the experience of tonight. I am shocked and ashamed that our evening could come to such an appaling end.
- nkw
17 Mar 09
Went to see it last week and really didn't know what to expect.
I haven't laughed so much in ages, in fact it was that funny, I got stitch from laughing so much watching Captain Frodo who is absolutely bloody hilarious
Some very original acts and I would highly recommend a visit.
Get front row only IF your brave! - Paul
17 Feb 09
Haven't laughed so much for a long time. It's a great show with lots of screams and laughter. Liked Mario the juggler with a difference, Ursula Martinez- how far can you take the "where's the hankerchief" trick and the double jointed bjorg character- funny to the edge of disbelief. - lily
26 Jan 09
Absolutely brilliant. Yes it's for mums!!! Our party of 6 ranged from age 22 to 61 and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Go see it while you can. - Jill
18 Jan 09
What do you mean 'not for your mum'?? I'm not a mum, but definitely old enough - and my friend, of the same age, came with HER mum, and we all thought it was great. Only my mate's boyfriend was slightly less keen! - Rosa
02 Jan 09
Excellant show! A must see ALLL PERFORMANCES FANTASTIC!!! - Anthony
09 Dec 08
went to see the show last week, its amazingly entertaining. not for your mum or your kids, but great fun, and just when you think it cant get more entertaining it does! great for a night out with friends, and christmas parties! - maz
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