'La Ronde', presented by acclaimed production company Strut & Fret, makes its seductive world premiere at Adelaide Fringe.
Set to draw audiences into a mesmerising carousel of elegance, mischief, and jaw-dropping spectacle, this boundary-pushing variety show features a stellar line-up: a groundbreaking Vegas performer, circus luminaries from Europe and America, a Folies Bergère sweetheart from Paris, and the darlings of the European cabaret scene.
In this intimate, in-the-round experience, artists, dreamers, aristocrats, and thieves collide in a whirlwind of love, intrigue, and unexpected twists. Prepare to be captivated – life is always better in 'La Ronde'.
Here, Jess Copas – Senior Producer at Strut & Fret – chats to us about all things 'La Ronde'
What was the inspiration behind 'La Ronde', and how did the concept of blending love, mischief, and variety performances come to life?
We are lucky enough to work with some of the best circus performers from across the globe, we always want to highlight the skill and talents of these performers that are rarely seen in in Australia, combined with how much we know our Adelaide audience’s love for extreme talent, the collision of both is what’s going to make 'La Ronde' extra special.
With this being the world premiere of 'La Ronde', what makes the Adelaide Fringe the perfect platform to debut the show?
We have been presenting shows in Adelaide for 20 years, so we know our audience very well! Making the world premiere of 'La Ronde' extra special in Adelaide, our audience know and trust us to deliver an exceptional night out.
The show features performers from Vegas, Paris, and the European cabaret scene. How did you curate such a diverse line-up, and what do these performers bring to the production?
We are lucky to have three different shows running at the moment (soon to be five) with performers from around the world watching and wanting to take part. Our performers have a huge part of the actual creative development process when we create a new show, which is a big draw card for international artists.
'La Ronde' promises to blur identities and boundaries while delivering unexpected twists. What kind of journey or emotions should audiences expect to experience?
Because the audience is so close to the performers, not only do they see the physical journey that the artists go on, but you see the emotional journey too. 'La Ronde' is like a dizzying carousel ride of sensations. . . From intimate and elegant to high-energy and hysterical, you’ll feel a bit of everything throughout the show! I can’t wait to see audience reactions to some of the most jaw-dropping moments in the show. Polina Karvovskaya’s stunning hair-hanging act will have them gasping and Sergiy Mishchurenko’s flying pole stunts. . . Let’s just say there’s a reason he’s getting hundreds of thousands of likes on Instagram and TikTok!
Sergiy Mishchurenko
The show intertwines elegance, extravagance, and mischief. How do these elements shape the storytelling and atmosphere of the performance?
The atmosphere starts with the Spiegeltent itself, it’s one of the main characters. 'La Ronde' was created to be presented in this particular space where audiences are seated in the round, on all four sides of the tent, with a 360-degree view of the show that happens in, around and above them.
What were some of the biggest challenges in bringing such a multifaceted production together, especially with international performers?
We internally coordinate all of the logistics for our shows, including visas, flights, accommodation, transport, freight, etc, so with an international cast this is also done in the opposite time zone! Imagine meetings and phone calls at midnight, it’s a 24-hour job in the lead-up to opening a show like 'La Ronde'.
Strut & Fret is known for its innovative productions. How did the collaboration within the company and with the performers shape the final product?
Our shows are well-known internationally, artists are aware of our history in the circus and entertainment world, as mentioned we are very lucky to have world-class performers want to work with us to expand their existing talents, push the boundaries, and create in a new and exciting environment.
What excites you the most about 'La Ronde', and why should audiences make it a must-see show during the Adelaide Fringe?
'La Ronde' is bringing performers that have never been to this country before, or worked with each other on the same stage before, we are honoured and excited to be able to give them this platform and bring something extra special to our Adelaide audiences who we know will love and get excited about it!
'La Ronde' plays The Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights (Adelaide Fringe) 14 February-23 March.
