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The greatest show and other bromances: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE Ball and Boe @sohotheatre

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Alfie Boe and Michael Ball seem to be a bit of a joke act anyway. Their endless interpretations of popular songs (also known as covers) and their double-act bromance make them quintessential crossover artists where popular music meets opera and Broadway. And a perilous choice for the discerning listener. It’s not that they aren’t talented musicians and performers in their own right. Still, their musical choices are always safe, predictable and less than their potential. But every country deserves to have a pair of self-described national treasures that can tour the local arenas and give people a good time for the bargain price of £175 a seat.  And so the concept of Adam Riches and John Kearns - two world-famous from the Edinburgh Fringe comedians taking on this bromance seems like a curious choice for a Christmas musical fare. One can only hope that over the fourteen nights, it is playing at the Soho Theatre that the show evolves into something more substantial than a series of po...

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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