GET AROUND LA RONDE
Lovers of cabaret, acrobatics, circus, music, and comedy rejoice, as the talented entourage behind hit shows Blanc de Blanc, The Party, and Limbo make a welcome return to the Top End.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
REPEAT DARWIN FESTIVAL offenders Strut & Fret take up residence in The Spiegeltent for a special extended season, kicking off at the end of last month. Their track record of dishing out entertaining and spectacular performances continues with their new show, La Ronde.
The latest work from the production company features world-class variety performers from across the globe, with jaw-dropping aerialists, head-spinning acrobatics, a flying-pole sensation, and a darling of the European cabaret scene.
Set inside the opulent and iconic Spiegeltent – which has, to the delight of pretty much all of us, become a regular fixture on the Festival program – La Ronde blends the exquisite, the elegant, and the extraordinary in an hour-and-a-half-long spectacle.
As the name suggests – which translates from French to ‘the round’ – La Ronde was designed to be an entirely immersive experience. Senior Producer Jess Copas reckons audiences will be on the edge of their seats.
“La Ronde has been created for audiences to experience in the round – on all four sides of the tent, with a 360-degree view of the show that happens in, above, and around, creating an intimate connection between performer and the audience. [This] is what makes this show special,” she says.
“The cast of La Ronde are from around the globe – Ukraine, Belarus, UK, Germany, Spain. They are the best in the world at what they do, so we are lucky to have such an incredible line-up of highly skilled performers coming to Darwin.”
In fact, the show’s been such a hit, it earned an insane 14 five-star reviews during its debut season at Adelaide Fringe. Now, it’s made tracks to Darwin for its second ever festival appearance. Not only are Top End audiences in for a good time, Copas says the cast is keen to be in our neck of the woods, too.
“None of the artists have been to Darwin before, so excited is an understatement. They are keen to immerse themselves in all cultural aspects and explore the Territory’s natural beauty on their day off. We love getting tips and suggestions from locals when we are in a new city, so we are all ears!”
One of those artists is Sergiy Mishchurenko from Ukraine. With a background in Taekwondo and dance, he’s become a specialist in Aerial Pole, set to perform some insane, gravity-defying feats that even he acknowledges as nerve-wracking.
“The jump onto the pole always brings tension, and the moment I take off spinning with just one hand in the air feels as risky as it looks.”
The upper body strength Mishchurenko contains is that of superhero calibre, and with shows night after night, sometimes two, he’s careful to take good care of it.
“Recovery is everything – stretching, ice baths when possible, and learning to listen when my body says ‘enough’.”
But that doesn’t mean he won’t get to enjoy Darwin and all she has to offer.
“It’s my first time, and I’m honestly excited – there’s something raw and powerful about performing in a place with such energy and nature around it.”
If you weren’t already privy to the fact, a night at The Spiegeltent is a night well spent, with an onsite bar and food trucks on hand to keep merrymakers fed and watered. Backdropped by Parliament House, it’s an iconic setting in which to get your Festival fix. Copas reckons you’re in for a ride.
“[It’s] an unforgettable night out as always! La Ronde is an edge-of-your-seat spectacle of jaw dropping artistry – it truly is a smorgasbord of the finest variety artists from around the world.”
So, joy seekers, head along to La Ronde and see what all of la fuss is about.
La Ronde
WHEN THU 31 JUL – SAT 23 AUG
AT THE SPIEGELTENT, SITZLER FESTIVAL LAWN
COST $59-$145
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Images: Jacinta Oaten
