Live review: Empire in the Spielgeltent, Wynyard Quarter

Lucia Carbine in Empire.

Latest sexy circus show to hit town mixes breathtaking acrobatics, outrageous MCs and a little nudity.

Every couple of years sexy-circus carnies roll up in a spiegeltent. After the Australian shows Smoke & Mirrors (2011) and Cantina (2013), it's now New York's turn to give us acrobats in their undies in an intimate space.

This show's point of difference is its two wickedly clever MCs whose broad and very funny slapstick is oral-fixated and no-holds-barred.

Anne Goldmann and Jonathan Taylor as Fanny and Oscar inject comic energy, verve, originality and seasoned outrageousness into the show (those with front row seats can expect molestation - "volunteers" might feel that's not an exaggeration). And their quick-as-a-flash clothes-changing routine is excellent.

Although the stale bigotry is jarring when Yasu Yoshikawa is introduced only as the "half-naked Asian dude," the hoop artist also creates genuine audience rapport with a simpering smile and a modern version of baggy clown pants.

In contrast, many of the acrobatic acts are played seriously; while they are technically exceptional and often breathtaking, it would have been even more entertaining if one or two had been played for comedy.

Denis Petaev and Mariia Beisembetova bring a dramatic Russian sensibility and smouldering looks to roller skating (although the neck brace looks extremely uncomfortable).

The Gorilla Girls' tumbling and twisted stacking are a highlight, as are Lucia Carbine's contortions, her rubber body accentuated by the cut of her leotard.

The Gorilla Girls

The abrupt change of pace for balance artist Memet Bilgin Rigolo makes it seem like he's in a completely different show: all deep breaths and New Age music. His spinning top on a huge branch was esoteric but the later branch balancing was impressive, although drawn out.

The wood and coloured windows of the speigeltent are genuinely pretty, although sight lines to the low, central stage aren't perfect.

The number of acts over 90 minutes is satisfying. The brief nudity is full-frontal but played for laughs.

A slick and professional circus pick'n'mix, but what I'll remember is Oscar licking front-row bald pates and Fanny biting an audience jandal.

When: Until February 15
Where: Speigeltent, Daldy St, Wynyard Quarter