PREVIEW: Underground Circus Spectacle Arrives in Sydney

After a triumphant season that garnered five-star reviews, the acclaimed circus-cabaret fusion La Ronde is preparing to make its Sydney debut at The Grand Electric this October. From the creative minds behind the internationally celebrated Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO, this latest offering promises to blur the boundaries between intimate cabaret and jaw-dropping circus artistry.

La Ronde represents a bold departure from traditional theatre experiences, inviting audiences to "step into the round" for what producers describe as an intoxicating world of twisted spectacle. The show's central premise (with audiences positioned close enough to feel the performers' energy) creates an atmosphere where the line between observer and participant becomes deliciously unclear.

Producer Jess Copas paints a vivid picture of what awaits Sydney audiences: "La Ronde will feel like a dizzying carousel ride of sensations, especially as the audience is so close to the performers. You'll feel a bit of everything throughout the show – it's intimate and elegant one moment, high-energy and hysterical the next!"

The production promises to showcase what Copas calls "truly the best skills in the world," featuring performers who push the boundaries of what seems humanly possible. Drawing talent from the European underground scene, La Ronde assembles what its creative team describes as groundbreaking headliners and world-class provocateurs.

The choice of venue adds another layer to the production, The Grand Electric, which opened in 2023.  Currently home to the Michael Cassel Group's long-running hit Titanique, The Grand Electric's luxurious ambience and close-quarters setting seem perfectly matched to La Ronde's immersive concept.

Strut & Fret, the production company behind La Ronde, brings impressive credentials to Sydney's theatre scene. With shows currently running in London's Kings Cross and Brisbane's West End, they've built a reputation for delivering world-class circus and cabaret to international audiences. Their track record suggests audiences can expect production values and artistic vision that rival anything on the global circuit.

The critical response to La Ronde's debut season tells its own story. Reviews consistently praised the show's ability to balance spectacle with artistry, with TIME OUT declaring it the must-see show of Adelaide Fringe. Critics repeatedly highlighted the performers' ability to transcend ordinary human limitations, with one reviewer noting it's "easy to forget they're mere mortals."

Rather than following a predictable circus formula, the show promises moments that shift from intimate elegance to high-energy chaos, creating an emotional and sensory journey that keeps audiences off-balance in the best possible way.

The production's emphasis on being "bold and curious" extends beyond mere marketing babble. In an entertainment landscape often dominated by safe choices and familiar formats, La Ronde represents something genuinely different, a show that demands its audience surrender control and trust in the artistic vision.

Venue: The Grand Electric Sydney. 199 Cleveland St, Surry Hills
Tickets: From $75+BF. WED-SUN
Dates: Show opens 16 Oct 2025
Tickets: larondeshow.com

(Images: Supplied)

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