I went to a surprise birthday party at the weekend – the wildest house party I’ve ever been to - and one with cheap entry, circus acts, loads of laughs and loads of surprises.
And no, it wasn’t actually a birthday party, but instead a dazzling new show that is making its mark in London’s West End.
Following a debut run at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Underbelly and Three Legged Race productions have brought thrill-seeking Sophie’s Surprise 29th to Underbelly Boulevard in Soho.
It’s the biggest party in town right now with circus acts that’ll make you grip your seats, performances that’ll make you cry with laughter and surprises that’ll make you scream.
In each performance, the role of Sophie is taken on by a willing audience member, and the show revolves around her and it being her ‘birthday’.
Tickets are cheap, starting at £25, and there’s food and cocktails in new theatre restaurant Café Kitty, making it the perfect outing for an actual birthday, hen, date, friend get together and more.
I went with my best friend and we really didn’t know what to expect – but came out with a feel-good buzz inside, our faces hurting from laughing, and our friends messaging us asking how to get tickets for themselves.
Starring is Katherine Arnold, Isis Clegg Vinell and Nathan Redwood Price.
Katharine Arnold is an aerialist, choreographer and circus consultant who has worked internationally across live events, cabaret, theatre, film and tv including the likes of Royal Variety Show and Cirque Du Soleil.
Nathan Price and Isis Clegg-Vinell present a double act of death-defying roller skating and have travelled across the globe performing for companies including Cirque du Soleil, The 7 Fingers, Cabaret Zazou, Majestique and La Soiree.
Aerialist Cornelius Atkinson rounds off the spellbinding group Trio Vertex, along with Nathan and Isis, showcasing the death-defying techniques of Doubles Trapeze, combined with the acrobatic spectacle of Hand to Hand Dru Cripps brings his hilarious unique comedic style to Sophie’s Surprise 29th and will blow audiences away with his wild improvised musical comedy (and some nudity – be warned).
Josie Jones will bring the heat with her fire artistry as well as performing her gravity defying hair hang number.
It’s pretty much a house party disguised as circus, comedy and chaos – with music, pass the parcel, crisps and party games.
It’s the kind of thing where you’re not sure what to expect, you’ll never see anything like it again, but you’ll be left just wanting MORE.
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