La Clique

Circus, variety and cabaret are reimagined in the work of renowned performance artist David Pereira. Passion and physical prowess dominate his acts as he defies our preconceptions of the corporeal limitations within the realm of performance. Dance, theatre and art fuse into one as his distinctive stylistic lines and movement mesmerise us with captivating stories of the human condition. 

His prestige is the result of a lifetime of passion. Practicing ballet at 12, being an award-winning gymnast and acrobat by 14, and even joining the ranks of the famed Cirque du Soleil by 18, his ability to encapsulate his immense charisma within his artistry was undeniable. After studying under the greats of acting, clowning and circus in our generation, at only 22 his original creation David Pereira’s Trip became an undisputed Berlin institution, playing at the Wintergarten Berlin, Sziget Festival, The Famous Spiegeltent and GOP Variete. Elevated to an icon of performance in the Berlin night scene, Pereira’s creative, technical and innovative acts and bodily creations were propelling him to international stardom. 

 
Pereira’s career has been nothing short of remarkable, with starring roles in works such as Der Helle Wahnsinn, Cats, Big Fish and Federico Garcia Lorca’s most complex text The Public, and the Olivier Award-winning La Clique as well as taking the stage at historic venues like London’s West End and the Folies Bergère in Paris. His inspirational story and unparalleled talent led him to be a speaker for The International Peace Foundation in Thailand and awards from France’s Got Talent competition, Got To Dance Germany and the European Dance Awards. People the world over have recognized his impact, receiving praise from publications including Culture Fix, the Herald Sun, Broadway World, Arts Hub, Aussie Theatre and even the New York Times for his virtual experiences. 

Worldwide, viewers are stunned and awestruck by his groundbreaking techniques and abilities. As he continues on this exponential path of success, he has cemented himself as a must-see, can’t-miss, once-in-a-lifetime performer. 

Photography credit: Jess Shurte Photography 

A New York City native, Heather Holliday started her career at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow as a high school intern. Still a teenager, she held the title of the Youngest Female Sword Swallower in the world. 

Heather toured the United States with various vaudeville shows from 2009. At the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, she presented her show The Curious Couple from Coney with partner Donny Vomit. She features on the label of Coney Island Sword Swallower Lager, a special brew by Coney Island Brewing Company. 

Swallowing swords and eating & breathing fire, this vintage beauty has appeared in music videos for 50 Cent and Rick Ross, as well as television shows globally; hosted the MTV Iggy Show on MTV; and toured the world with Strut & Fret productions LIMBO and LIMBO UNHINGED. Last year, Heather set two new Guinness World Records: the “Longest neon tube swallowed” (at 54.40 cm) and the “Largest curve in a sword swallowed while seated” (with an angle of 90 degrees). In May 2024, she reached the semi-finals of series 17 of Britain’s Got Talent and was most recently seen performing in Las Vegas with Absinthe. 

Since joining the La Clique family in 2017, Heather has been at the heart of almost every season, becoming a beloved poster darling for the show. 

Photography credit: Jess Shurte Photography 

At the age of 16, East End-born Lj Marles discovered his passion for circus through a local youth project with Bassline Circus, where he learnt the fundamentals of aerial arts. This led him to the National Centre for Circus Arts specialising in aerial straps and graduating from their degree program. During this time, Lj drew inspiration from other circus acts like X-pole, Chinese pole, aerial rope and silks to create an original apparatus of his own invention: Tension Straps. Lj has since toured the world, performing in Cirque du Soleil special events and with companies such as Les 7 Doigts, Palazzo and Cabaret Décadanse. His innovative act has won him awards at world-renowned circus festivals Young Stage and Cirque de Demain. Lj made his La Clique debut in 2021, and now is Australia’s first opportunity to experience this gender-bending artist and his unique Tension Straps weaving their magic. 

Photography credit: Jess Shurte Photography 

A born showman and expert in the circus arts Mario comes brimming with unbridled passion. The Latin lothario’s hilarious show has wowed audiences all over the world. Mario’s unique mix of complex juggling tricks and universal sex appeal can only find release in the arena-rocking anthems of his favourite super-group, Queen. 

Mario was a regular guest in La Clique in its very first Edinburgh season in 2004 and joined the cast in 2007. He is overjoyed to celebrate 20 years of La Clique and many years as a variety artist. 

“Too silly for words and great fun” – The Australian 

“An eccentric sense of humor and a playful bawdiness” – The New York Times 

Mirko Köckenberger arrives directly from Las Vegas where he is a resident artist at Caesars Palace. 

He toured for three years alongside the legendary Marcia Hines. 

Mirko joined the La Clique family in 2012. 

He continually reinvents himself creatively as with this unique new act Champagne Tower, for which he was hired directly by Cirque du Soleil. 

Born and raised in Berlin, Mirko discovered his love for the circus at an early age. He studied at the National Circus School in Berlin and the Centre Régional des Arts du Cirque in France before going on tours internationally. 

In a virtuosic hand balancing act turned striptease, Mirko skillfully stacks bottles and champagne glasses with undeniable charm. 

He raises his glass to celebrate the amazing 20th anniversary of La Clique. 

Photography credit: Jess Shurte Photography 

Tara is Australia’s problem child of cabaret and La Clique’s Queen of Chaos! Having taken the world by storm with her original antics she is now back in her homeland to show audiences what she’s got: from umbrella foot juggling to finessing the absurd art of popcorn making. Reviews have ranged from “an act of exquisite beauty” and “the ultimate show stopper” to “curse this satanic vile trash!” You never know what you get with Boom. But what you do know is that you will never forget it. 

Photography credit: Jess Shurte Photography 

Tuedon is a Canadian movement artist specialising in aerial straps. Recognisable for her statuesque figure and refined movement vocabulary, she captivates audiences with her magnetic stage presence and visceral creations. 

Since graduating from the prestigious National Circus School of Montreal, Tuedon has been an in demand aerialist, touring internationally for world renowned companies, notably Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize and 7 Fingers. In addition to her performance career, she is a co-founding director and choreographer of Project Sanctuaire, a Montreal-based aerial company. 

In homage to La Clique’s original bathtub performance two decades ago, Tuedon reimagines the act especially for the show’s anniversary. 

Photography credit: Jess Shurte Photography 

An original cast member of the first La Clique show in Edinburgh 2004, Ursula Martinez is an internationally renowned cabaret performer, live artist and theatre director. 

She has performed around the world from Mexico City to Marrakesh, co-created Olivier Award-winning theatre in London and directed multi award-winning shows in Australia. 

But for all her theatrical accolades, she is probably most well-known for pulling red hankies out of a truly magical place! 

“One of the most inventive striptease routines ever devised.....” The Daily Telegraph