Champagne, sex and excess. That’s the order of the night at Sabrage, the latest cabaret-circus hybrid to open in London. Staged at Lafayette in King’s Cross, this import from Australian company Strut & Fret promises two hours of French-flavoured debauchery: a mix of circus act, burlesque striptease and boozy comedy sketches. Here’s all you need to know about this show, including our review and booking details.

What is Sabrage?

Sabrage is a two-hour immersive performance that’s as much party as it is theatre. The name comes from the French tradition of “sabrage”, the ritual of popping a bottle open with a sabre. And it’s very much a fitting metaphor. Don’t come expecting a storyline. Instead you’ll get a fizzy blur of nudity, aerial stunts, French stereotypes and plenty of audience participation.

The show is running at Lafayette (right next to King’s Cross station) until the 31st of December. It runs from Tuesday through Sunday, with two shows on Saturday. Tickets start at £30 and climb up to £160 for sofa (seats 2) and VIP packages. But honestly, the room is small enough that you’ll get a good view wherever you sit, so the splurge isn’t essential.

The cast is small: six performers including the two hosts, Rémi Martin and Spencer Novich – which keeps the show feeling intimate, almost like you’ve stumbled into an eccentric house party.

Strut & Fret are seasoned at this kind of spectacle, having toured productions in more than 30 countries over the past couple of decades. Here, they play up two very familiar tropes: the French as endlessly seductive, and champagne as the ultimate symbol of indulgence.

Everything spins off those clichés. Think cabaret performances, comic grape-throwing routines, and a steady stream of “more bubbles” calls from the stage.

What you can expect

The format is classic cabaret: short set pieces stitched together with comic hosting. The acts range from circus skills – table-juggling, aerial hoop, acrobatics – to lip-synced dance routines and burlesque. Champagne is omnipresent, not only served to the audience but integrated into the choreography. Grapes are tossed into mouths, glasses are poured theatrically mid-song, and at one point entire sequences play out like a parody of drunken dinner-party games.

Audience interaction is part of the DNA. Spectators are frequently pulled on stage to take part in routines: some innocently playful, others slightly more suggestive. If you’re a confident person, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the chaos and enjoy the show as it is. If you’re shy, however, or are coming along with a more reserved partner or friend, it’s worth preparing them for what’s to come to avoid setting them up for a potential two-hour anxiety trap.

There’s also nudity throughout as a recurring motif of empowerment and irreverence. By the end of the evening, you’ve witnessed a cocktail of circus skill, sexual bravado and comedy chaos- and it is as glorious as it seems.

Our review: a liberating and indulgent show that might just be what you need

There’s no denying Sabrage is entertaining. The strongest moments showcase real talent: Emma Phillips spinning a full table with her feet is as impressive as anything you’d see in an international circus show; the aerial act weave strength and poise; Cherise Adams-Burnett’s vocals cut through the lip-sync acts with genuine musical punch. These acts remind you the cast are highly skilled beyond the bawdiness.

The grape-throwing, pillow fights and extended comic sketches can feel like filler, especially when stretched past their novelty value. At times, the production leans too heavily on audience embarrassment as a crutch for drama. And without a narrative to drive momentum, some sections might feel completely random.

That said, the atmosphere is infectious, and the randomness is part of the appeal. The venue’s intimacy works in its favour, making the whole evening feel like a private bacchanal. Food and drink are readily available throughout (and the cast strongly encourages a drink or two).

The show’s greatest strength is its rawness: sex, champagne and chaos are presented as empowering rather than shameful. For some, that will be liberating; for others, it may tip into indulgence without substance. Either way, it’s an experience you won’t mistake for anything else currently on in London (which is saying something).

Final details

• Venue: Lafayette – 11 Goods Way, London N1C 4DP
• Dates: Booking available through 31 December, book here
• Running time: ~2 hours with an interval after one hour
• Age guidance: 16+ (nudity, adult themes, audience participation)
• Tickets: from ~£30; sofas and VIP packages available
• Best for: fans of cabaret and circus who don’t mind being part of the show, or anyone seeking a wild, champagne-drenched night out

See also the latest in culture, including our review of the Titanic immersive exhibition, Radical Honesty at the Moco Museum, and Gianni Versace Retrospective.