Fuerzabruta

Oh boy, did I ever spend a night last night of sensory overload!

A friend invited me to go to the press evening opening of The Roundhouse, a venue in London that closed some 15 or so years ago. After much fundraising and work, it has finally re-opened. The old Roundhouse was a gritty very down to earth venue. Today's Roundhouse is somewhat more glamourous.

I had no idea what I was in for last night, I somehow thought I was going to a sort of party that was a press launch of the Roundhouse - a re-opening event. I didn't expect to go into a show and see something so spectacular that today I am still in awe.

I took a cab to the Roundhouse and the cabbie was full of stories of his youth and how he had spent time there. On arrival we went inside, met a friend of my friend who gave us VIP passes and off we trundled to the VIP bar.

Once there champagne was on tap, I only had one glass though since I was the designated driver for the night (I'd left the car at the office to collect later). We briefly star spotted and chatted a little, then we were ushered into the theatre. In we went to find a big open space (and passing Eddie Izzard talking about hotels in New Orleans) and an announcement going off that emergency exits were marked in green, and if any of the sets were to touch us, we were to touch them back with the palms of our hands only. We were told that we would be required to move around during the show, and that we should move quickly if the crew asked us to do so, so that the show may continue smoothly without interruption.

This was intriguing. Then lights went up to our left and out came a conveyor belt with a man walking on it (treadmill). This extended and moved around the room, and sped up when he ended up running. The music was pounding out as he ran in time.

The show continued with visual and aural sensations, including a giant swimming pool descending from the ceiling which had a clear bottom. We looked up into a pool of moving bodies, and as the pool descended to just above head height of the audience, with palms outstretched to touch it, the girls inside interacted with the audience. "Touching" us back.

Words really can not describe the amazing show that went on for around an hour and a half. Acrobatics and pounding music - it very much reminded me of Circus Archaos, whom I had seen in a tent on Clapham Common many years ago.

This show is a summer "must see" - If I'd known what to expect before hand I'd have dressed down and not worn heels (standing all night in heels with a dodgy knee is not to be recommended!).

Check out the links and get to Fuerzabruta if you can!