The Rouge show will make you blush!
The Spiegeltent is an institution. The travelling home of some of the world’s most unique circus, comedy and dance acts- the central stage, mirrored ceiling and cosy booths are what cabaret entertaining is made for.
Heading there to watch Rouge, which is closing the run of the summer at Southbank’s Underbelly Festival, the location just next to the London Eye on a balmy Indian Summer evening could not have been more perfect.
The shows performers were a close knit crew, consisting of Isabel Hertaeg, Liam de Jong, Jessie McKibbin, Lyndon Johnson, Madison Burleigh and Paul Westbrook who surprise and tantalise in equal measure- with a ring leader and class clown.
Coupled with a pumping soundtrack of Jessie J, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande and Shirley Bassey tracks, along with some breathtaking operatic singing by Issie Hart, Paul Westbrook is the biggest show-off, and whips the audience into a frenzy, with his skimpy hot pants and trapeze skills.
Jessie McKibbin also does well with a whip, as she snaps the stems of flowers, which are placed in some interesting places on her colleagues’ anatomy, and crops up again to juggle with fire, the duo on a trapeze and wow on a Cyr wheel with partner Lyndon Johnson.
The performances are playful as well as skillful, and there are some moments when you think that they might not succeed- the three chair balancing act that Johnson scaled was nerve-wracking!
Each act provides a high energy performance, and the troupe rotate seamlessly, so a feat of strength is followed by something more comedic!
There is adult content (nipples) but the females are spared flashing their lady bits- however, the lampshade man fares rather worse, when his undies are yanked down by the mischievous Westbrook, dressed as a rabbit!
For one of the most surreal hours of your life, this show won’t fail to disappoint! It has operatic ballet, a bit of cheeky burlesque, acrobatics, hula hoops and audience participation.
Book for your seat here
28th August – 15th September 2019
http://www.underbellyfestival.com/