ENTERTAINMENT: Scotch & Soda – Southbank Wonderground

<p>Tuesday night and this writer was invited to attend the press night of Scotch & Soda – following their critically acclaimed seasons in Edinburgh and Sydney. Ever the fan of early week drinking, who was I to refuse?</p> <p>★★★★★</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4621673780.jpg" width="460" height="307" alt="Scotch and Soda" title="Scotch and Soda"/></p> <p></p><p>Scotch & Soda brings together two well-known groups. Company 2 – the renowned, Brisbane-based, circus-inspired performing arts company; and The Crusty Suitcase Band – the fresh group of old school instrumentation, horns and drums. </p><p></p><p>The characters in the show are based on actual characters and stories from the historical worlds of circus, and the Australian outback (all featured in the £10 souvenir programme making it a worthwhile buy). </p><p></p><p>This raucous, world-class mix of circus, dance and original music has come to London for the first time until 2 August 2015; with London Wonderground’s decadent Spiegeltent hosting this glamorous evening of debauched and deadly fun jam-packed with jaw-dropping lunacy, incredible feats and live beats. </p><p></p><p>A dusty desert bar. A chance encounter. A spectacular clash of spellbinding misfits, Scotch & Soda promises a “guaranteed whiskey-soaked evening of breathtaking feats, blinding charm and beatnik soul”. The high-energy, comic show features gravity-defying circus from some of Australia’s finest acrobats with previous appearances including Cantina, La Clique, Cirque and Tom Tom Crew, and music from the renowned Crusty Suitcase Band. </p><p></p><p>The music was fabulous and really gave the show some powerful zazazu – In fact I overheard one audience member say that they would have attended just for the music alone. </p><p></p><p>I attended with Grayson Klimek – the fashion blogger behind <a href="http://www.milkandmerino.com/">www.milkandmerino.com</a> – and I’m glad I had the moral support as I sat grimacing and looking through my hands as the rabble dangerously whizzed above us on ropes, swings and 10 metre poles balanced on the shoulders of other crew members; or balanced on a tower of unsteady wooden crates, or performing human towers on little cycles. </p><p></p><p>I’m sure it’s all well practiced, calculated and thought out, but clutching my large glass of red wine (HINT: Make sure you have a drink as it’ll steady your nerves!) it was a pretty heart-racing, sweat-producing ordeal. </p><p></p><p>The cast are attractive – especially ‘The Brothers Daevoud and Kid Lighting’ - it’s one of the few events where it’s possible someone may actually fall on you, perhaps reason alone to go and watch it?</p><p></p><p>The event is part of London Wonderground - the brainchild of Underbelly and the Southbank Centre. A dazzling playground for all, London Wonderground is a spectacular slice of circus in the centre of London. Back for a fourth year, the festival is renowned for hosting the best circus and cabaret from across the world in an enchanting riverside venue, complete with a magnificent 1920s Spiegeltent and various rides and attractions. London Wonderground is part of Southbank Centre’s Festival of Love this summer.</p><p></p><p>Definitely a must watch for the summer with great music, endearing comedy, nail-biting feats, the chance of getting landed on by a hot sweaty man and two glimpses of penis – what isn’t there to love?</p><p>Book now before they all go and break their necks! </p><p></p><p>The Wonderground festival runs till the 2nd August 2015.</p><p></p><p>By <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/joshuawalker">Joshua Walker</a></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>