La Ronde

It is wonderful to see a venue pumping out innovative and popular acts in these times where many producers are struggling.

The Grand Electric in Surry Hills is on a roll – having hosted the hilarious long running Titanique, then the world class naughty Garry Starr: Classic Penguins and now the classy La Ronde - a sumptuous mixture of pumping music, comedy and circus acts.

Unfortunately, on the night we went there was an epic customer service let down or should I say a customer service drenching. 

The foyer to the Grand Electric is outdoors, which is usually very pleasant.

On our Saturday night the first performance was at 5pm, and by the time we arrived five minutes prior to the 8pm scheduled commencement  there was still a long line of patrons snaking out of the building. 

Alas a torrential rainstorm was well underway and the line was not moving at all.  We did not get into the theatre until 8:22 pm.

A nice couple let us share their umbrella, but even so by the time we sat down we were thoroughly saturated.   

Surely, front of house staff should clear patrons from the earlier session in these circumstances to let soggy patrons in at the advertised commencement time!

I needed a red velvet cocktail at interval as compensation for my discomfort (which set me back $25).  It was thankfully delicious.

By this time, I had forgiven the company for the mishap and to be fair the circumstances are not likely to repeat themselves.

Luckily there were no leaks inside The Grand Electric because it would have made some of the acts even more dangerous than they appeared.

The show begins with a giant glitter ball at the centre of the ring. 

Zoë Marshall, an aerialist with long hair spun like a washing machine on high speed – perhaps a metaphor for what device our clothes needed to be tossed in.

Other artists included Danik Abishev described accurately as a “aggressive hand balancer”,  Sergiy Mishchurenko an impressive aerial polist from Ukraine and assorted other acts. The men were quick to take their shirts off to show off all that time they had been spending in the gym.

But the highlight was the clown on a unicycle, Sam Goodburn. He drew abs on his stomach with a Texta. The British comic’s trademark is to give away biscuits. Members of the audience were like performing seals being tossed fish.

His routine trying to get pants on whilst on a unicycle was hilarious and had a touch of the Garry Starr cheek to it.

Once inside - It was a great night of entertainment.

David Spicer