This is one of the hardest reviews I’ve ever had to write… not because the show was bad, but because it left me speechless with far too much to say. La Ronde is THE show of the Adelaide Fringe, featuring absolutely everything you could want out of a performance. Blending flawless acrobatic and aerial tricks with sultry vocals and a healthy helping of humor, this is a standout of the season.
Nestled in the The Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights, La Ronde brings the most awe-inspiring acts from around the globe together for 90 minutes of pure bliss and dropped jaws. The cast themselves are shining examples of what it means to be top performers in their industry, moving with grace as they soar and spin through the air. Their closeness as a group is clear from the moment the show opens, making it all the more endearing. But the chemistry doesn’t stop there! Through sultry looks, cheeky smiles, and a genuine approach to audience interaction, the cast draws fringe-goers in with their unmatched charisma.
Whether audiences are marvelling at Belarus’ Polina and her hair-hanging aerial acrobatics or Colombia’s Filipe Reyes and his jaw-clenching pyrotechnics, the show is the definition of variety. La Ronde perfectly pairs Aussie Adam Malone’s hoop-spinning and head-balancing skills with Diana Bondarenko’s wowing pyramid-trapeze act from Ukraine. But it doesn’t stop there! The live vocals from Jamaican singer Gigi McFarlane are fun and bouncy, matching her outstanding stage presence. And who could forget aerial pole performer Sergiy Mishchurenko?!? Also hailing from Ukraine, Sergiy’s performance shows an impressive amount of control and conviction, spinning and moving effortlessly through the air.
One of the show-stealing highlights is unicycle funny-man Sam Goodburn from the UK. Starting his act in a beanie and a bathrobe, Sam’s approach to performing leaves audiences wondering what’s going on and what’s going to happen next. Though some stunts may leave you torn between closing your eyes and opening them wider, his act is one you simply cannot miss! Sam’s performance is infused with an almost lethal dosage of humor, and if you’re lucky and behave, you might just get a biscuit.
La Ronde will have you holding your breath at the edge of your seat one moment, then crying from laughter the next. If I could give it more stars, I truly would. So, if you only see one show at the Fringe this year, it needs to be this one!