There is a strange edifice that has been erected in George Square. The Famous Spiegeltent is just a portal to another strange and wonderful world, the world of La Clique!
As you enter the Spiegeltent you can feel the atmosphere change as the mundane is left behind and the fantastic and magical become real. Inside there are booths and seats situated around a central stage so that no mater where you sit there is always a good view. As the lights dim an expectant hush washes over the audience. The cast of La Clique appear one by one - posing on stage then the singing starts. The first act of Le Clique is an opera singer, swiftly followed by two tangoing men from Buenos Aires. Next up was the incredible Captain Frodo stupefying the crowds with his comedic contortion act. A belly-dancing bald man shook his thang round the circular stage and was then replaced by Le Clique regulars The Caesar Twins followed by Ms Goula the astounding acrobat.
If that sounds like a lot of acts that's just the first half. Back to part two as a hoop descends from the ceiling of the tent and a lithe girl dressed in white hops on. Tumbling and twirling her way through, until a dazzling woman appears in an iridescent gold sequined dress. This turns out to be a strip act with a twist. If you like flamenco then the next act was for you. Three guys with guitars performing musical dueling.
Suddenly Mambo Italia bursts forth from the speakers causing a grin from the audience as a woman in a red dress plays with her hula hoops. The Skating Willers do things no one should be able to do on such a small stage whilst wearing skates.
After all this, if you still have any energy left, they invite you to come dance and drink the night away with them next door while the wonderful jazz band play. I've seen La Clique before and have been informed that they are running two shows simultaneously; the other is in New York just now. Unfortunately we seem to have been given the B team this year with the likes of Camile and Bath Boy being replaced with Tyer Boy and acrobats. Whilst the show is not as strong as previous years, it is still the best damn cabaret in town and shows all the others how it should be done. Effortlessly distracting the audience from one thing to the next while setting up for acts, means that they maintain the magical and surreal atmosphere that is so important to cabaret and where so many other shows get it wrong.
