Presented by Strut & Fret and Menier Chocolate Factory, the world première of SABRAGE is taking London by storm at Lafayette in King’s Cross.
SABRAGE is not just a show – it’s an extravagant evening of intoxicating allure and riotous edge-of-your-seat entertainment. Featuring the finest circus and acrobatic talent from across the globe, expect high-octane spectacle, titillating humour, vintage glamour – and more than a few surprises.
Emma Phillips, the renowned circus artist starring in Sabrage, took time out from her busy schedule to answer a few questions.
About Sabrage & Its Concept
How would you describe the overall experience of Sabrage for someone who has never seen a cabaret show before?
Sabrage is the perfect introduction to the world of Cabaret, it combines world-class skill and ridiculous comedy, you will leave laughing, in shock and potentially drenched in Champagne. It’s impossible not to enjoy it!
What makes Sabrage stand out from other cabaret or circus shows currently in London?
One of the main reasons Sabrage will stand out from other shows is that we aim to test the boundaries of traditional theatre or circus, we love to break that fourth wall between the stage and the audience (and not for predictable reasons.) We want the audience to quite literally be a part of the show.
Your Role & Performance
You have an incredibly rare and unique act – juggling a solid wooden table with your feet! How did you develop this skill?
I trained in traditional Chinese foot juggling in two of China’s most prestigious acrobatic schools in Beijing and Wuqiao. People always ask how I knew I could juggle with my feet, and the fact is that I didn’t just happen to discover this skill; I just trained really hard with incredibly tough teachers!
What is the most challenging aspect of performing in Sabrage?
One of the most challenging aspects would be how physical the show is, specifically my act. With 8 shows 6 days a week, recovery is really tough, so the main challenge is staying healthy and safe.
The Creative Process & Collaboration
Sabrage features world-class cabaret and circus performers. What has it been like collaborating with such diverse talent?
This is always one of the highlights of our area of work, you honestly get to meet and work with some of the most interesting and hardworking people around.
Everyone has worked/trained so hard to reach where they are and have sacrificed so much to be at this level, which honestly you cannot do if you do not genuinely love it.
So to work with such passionate people who all want the success of the show as a whole, not as individuals, is such a dream!
What goes into preparing for a production of this scale – from rehearsals to costumes and stage design?
There is truly a village behind this show, months of work and preparations behind the scenes that the audience would have no idea about. The weeks leading up to opening night, there would be people working around the clock to get everything ready.
Our team includes set, stage and lighting design by Philip Gladwell and Costume design by James Brown, along with their support teams working endlessly to create the world of Sabrage.
During creation and rehearsal periods, we really all become a family; the hours are long, the stress levels are high, but we all bond through this period with delirious laughter and all the love and support to help each other through.
Audience & Atmosphere
Sabrage promises a “frisson of seduction” and a “wild ride” – how do you create that energy and intimacy with the audience?
We really try and build trust with the audience very early on, a lot of this is taken on by our wonderful hosts, Rémi & Spencer. The more trust we have, the more we can engage our audience and push boundaries, that’s where the “wild ride” really starts!
Cabaret often involves audience interaction. Do you enjoy that element of unpredictability?
Yes I love it! I get to perform a certain comedy act where I need the assistance of a gentleman in the audience, I always get a bit nervous hoping that they will say yes (I have even had people who have said no tell me after the show they wish they had said yes!) but I love the fact that I get to share this joyous moment onstage that will hopefully live on as a dinner party story for them for years to come!
What kind of audience reactions have stood out to you so far?
My personal favourite has to be in my foot juggling act where there are certain moments in the music that go quiet, and it’s always this moment that someone in the audience lets out an entertaining expletive which always puts a smile on my face!
Personal Reflections & Future
What do you hope audiences take away from Sabrage?
I just hope they have fun! It’s getting more and more challenging to be present in pure joy and detach from the outside world now, so how refreshing to come for a night out that’s so unexpected and ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh!
Looking ahead, do you have any dream projects or collaborations in mind?
Oh I always have big dreams and plans. I have spent the past 15 years travelling the world, training and performing, never staying in one place longer than 3 months at a time. So right now, I’m living my dream of working and actually living in London long term.
Lafayette
King’s Cross
11 Goods Way, London N1C 4DP
Kings Cross Underground (5 mins)
St. Pancras International (5 mins)
London Euston Underground (15 mins)
Socials for Instagram, Facebook, X TikTok and Bluesky is: @sabrageshowldn
https://sabrageshow.co.uk/
