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Two Ladies: La Bella Bimba at Barons Court Theatre / Canal Cafe Theatre

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T hey sing. They dance. They clown around. They even wash clothes! Such is the story of La Bella Bimba, part of the Voila Theatre Festival, which highlights new and emerging artists. A tale of two Italian ladies who land in 1920s New York, trying to break into Broadway without speaking a word of English. It’s harmless, primarily even if a little nonsensical, and is currently playing as part of the Voila! Theatre Festival .  I caught the performance at the Barons Court Theatre , where the intimate setting created an evocative atmosphere reminiscent of dark New York alleyways. The space was almost claustrophobic with a distinct smell of rising damp, making you feel immersed in the story of two Ladies hanging around the theatre doors of Broadway. On the plus side, the theatre has some of the most comfortable seats you will find in any pub theatre in London. As the naive and hopeful singers, Co-creator Lucrezia Galeone as Carlotta and Sarah Silvestri as Cecilia are fine singers with co...

Theatre: Cirque Du Soleil - Totem


Cirque Du Soleil's journey of the origin of the species - Totem - returns to the Royal Albert Hall for a limited run. Directed by Robert Lepage, it is a thrilling and beautiful show. People fly through the air, juggle, unicycle, play tricks and clown around. It is all spectacular stuff.



I caught it last year and enjoyed it, but this time around it seemed even better. Whether it was the expectation of what was to come, or the appreciation that no performance is exactly the same it was a great night out that had the audience on its feet at the end.

The set consists of a large swamp complete with a giant turtle carapace. A crystal man sets the proceedings in motion, and throughout the show the circus set pieces are guided by a tracker, scientist and an Amerindian dancer.  There is much to take in with the spectacular set pieces, the individual acts, the music and the costumes telling a story of evolution. There are the businessmen on poles, the ladies on unicycles, and the crystal girls with the spinning towels cloths all delivered incredibly thrilling performances. 

And while you're sure that when you see there is a man in tights with a large codpiece and lady hanging from him that you are in store for some spectacular acrobatic stunts. But the thrill of watching this show is in how beautiful and seductive it is. 

There are other circus acts out there, but none look as good or are as classy. Worth a trip to marvel at the achievement of it all. It runs through to 16 February. 

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