La Ronde review | Strut & Fret | Melbourne Spiegel House

There’s something exciting about a production that combines cabaret, burlesque and circus, with dazzling physical feats, risqué humour, elaborate costumes and a touch of mischief. Making its first visit to Melbourne at the Melbourne Spiegel Haus, La Ronde features an international cast whose talents span aerials, acrobatics, comedy and music, promising plenty of surprises to keep audiences entertained and titillated.

It’s an absolute joy to watch Swedish comedian David Eriksson work his way through his bag of tricks. Dressed in a punk top, sparkling pink skirt and gumboots, he brings a rock ’n’ rollness to his routine, with a cheeky irreverence that makes him instantly likeable. His oral dexterity has to be seen to be believed, adding a deliciously suggestive edge to his performance.

Sergiy Mishchurenko’s flying-pole routine is a standout. He moves with remarkable ease, his body winding and unfurling like a serpent as he swings through the air, at times supporting himself with just one hand. His fluid movements belie the physical demands of this extraordinary display.

In her Australian debut, Ukrainian aerialist Diana Bondarenko leaves a memorable first impression with a pyramid trapeze number that explores the apparatus in unexpected ways. Set to Kiss' "I Wad Made For Lovin' You", she moves through a series of positions and shapes that demonstrate both technical mastery and a keen sense of performance. Zoe Kelly’s hair-hanging sequence is mesmerising, as she performs acrobatic poses while suspended by her hair. Her act pairs sensuality with a defiant statement about women claiming their place, she commands attention throughout.

Danik Abishev’s hand-balancing is sexy and light-hearted, with lively jazz accompanying a wonderful choreography of strength and control. His ladder-balancing adds further variety to his impressive circus skills. Local talent Adam Malone brings cheekiness and flair to a swinging head-balancing routine on a Washington trapeze, combining precision with a playful presence as they make the most demanding manoeuvres look deceptively easy.

La Ronde also features several songs by Dorival Junco, including a brilliant cover of Norah Jones’ “Turn Me On”, offering a perfect change of pace from the physically intense numbers. While still captivating, his performances allow us to catch our breath and prepare for what's coming next.

One particularly welcome aspect of this show is the way it plays with conventional expectations around burlesque and nudity. Here, it’s often the male artists who reveal more flesh than the women, a refreshing reversal of the familiar tendency to place female bodies at the centre of the spectacle.

There are things I've never seen before in La Ronde, but even the things I have seen, are presented in a way that is fresh and unique. It does lose a little momentum however, during a group dance that feels more like filler than a meaningful part of the evening. It would have been a perfect opportunity to see someone from the ensemble give a second act to really showcase their skills. It’s a small misstep in an otherwise hugely entertaining production that makes excellent use of its compact stage and diverse cast. 

SHOW DETAILS 

Venue: Melbourne Spiegel House, 217 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Season: until 31 January | Wed - Thur 7pm, Fri 6:30pm & 8:30pm, Sat 5pm and 7:30pm, Sun 6pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Tickets: $69 - $149
Bookings: Melbourne Spiegel House

Image credit: Cameron Grant