Reviewed by Gert Griessel.
I am going to start this review with a disclaimer. I am not a fan of burlesque or acrobatic shows like Cirque du soleil. HOWEVER, when these are combined. It makes for an experience that has turned me into a fan. I cannot praise the cast, crew and and staff enough.
From the moment we stepped into the Cirk at Cresta, there was a Vibe. I have not experienced a venue with so much atmosphere in a long time. It felt like I stepped into a film set. The staff was friendly, accommodating and with an overflowing charisma at any moment willing to go the extra mile to make sure everyone is comfortable.
La Bella from the opening moment captured the audience. The hostess with a voice like honey serenaded the crowd like she was in love with each and every one of us. Expertly crafting the journey of a woman oppressed, broken. To freedom and the extremes that come with it. Then finding her value and pride. Not at the expense of others but in her own value. It would have been so easy to turn it into something that would alienate the male audience. However, the narrative was crafted with such precision and maturity that it didn’t need to resort to putting anyone down in order to uplift itself. That in itself is the mark of phenomenal writing.
The all female crew of ladies will not only capture your imagination and attention with every movement and action but engage you with feats of strength and acrobatics, choreographed into a silky performance that is elegant, captivating and simply put… Beautiful.
The music was another highlight. It brought classic smooth and big band jazz into modernity and moulded modern classics into works that Nina Simone would be proud of.
This is a performance that has absolutely changed my few of the artforms it practices. And even if you are not a fan of Burlesque or acrobatic shows like Cirque du Soleil. Do yourself a favor. Bring your wife, daughter, niece, aunt, husband or friends to see La Bella. It is a night that you will walk away from talking about for weeks to come.
