Autumn in London just got a lot more glamorous with the arrival of Forever Crazy, the new show from legendary Paris cabaret club, Le Crazy Horse. Experts in l’art du nu, the ten classically-trained Crazy Horse dancers perform ten ravishing, imaginative vignettes in a decadent 90 minute show.
The purpose-built Spiegeltent, tucked behind the National Theatre on the Southbank, is even more opulent than expected, with stunning red velvet drapes, golden statues, mirrors and suitably posh bathrooms. From the moment you step inside the boudoir-style reception, you feel immersed in glamorous Paris nightlife.
We were lucky enough to get Platinum tickets to the show, which gave us a front row table at the centre of the stage – the best seats in the house. Before the show, we were treated to a soundtrack of coquettish songs by Vanessa Paradis, Brigitte Bardot and Serge and Charlotte Gainsbourg, to get everyone in the mood for seduction.
For over thirty years, the show has begun with ‘God Save our Bareskin’, featuring the dancers sternly marching in Royal Horse Guards uniforms, complete with horses tails – how appropriate for London.
This was followed by tableaux including a dancer writhing seductively on a ‘lips sofa’, a wild leopard in her cage, a frustrated Wall Street executive, an impressive Surrealist-inspired mirror dance and a Berlin cabaret group dance on neon chairs.
The soundtrack is excellent, mixing a cool cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic, a beautiful song by Antony and the Johnsons and an interpretation of Radiohead’s Creep, alongside original music for the show. Forever Crazy also uses artistic lighting to decorate the dancers, bathing their bodies in stripes, leopard skin and spots.
The mesmerising dancers are so lithe, graceful and seductive, with slender bodies and creamy skin. There is even a dance that pays tribute solely to their long legs. During the dances, they gaze out beyond the audience, so you can enjoy watching them move without any awkwardness. However, when you catch their eye, they are utterly charming.
Shoe gals will be seriously envious, as the dancers have the ultimate shoe wardrobes by Christian Louboutin. With each dance comes a new change of foot candy – patent leather heels with delicate ankle straps in red or black, cut-out lace-up boots, traditional can can boots and Forever Tina suede fringe boots.
Forever Crazy is perfect for a decadent, naughty night out and brings a touch of Parisian glamour to London. Drinks are surprisingly reasonable, so you can splash out on a bottle of Champagne to enjoy the show. For a lesson or two in the art of seduction, don’t miss Forever Crazy this season!
Forever Crazy will run from 18 September to 24 December 2012 at the Spiegeltent, Southbank. Tickets start from £35 and special Champagne and show packages are available.
Photos by Forever Crazy and Chérie City
Chérie City was a guest of Forever Crazy