Empire

Bringing its antique 700-seat Spiegeltent to Sydney's Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park direct from Broadway, Empire may think of itself as the cheekier, grungier alternative to "those Cirque du Soleil assholes", but that doesn't mean it skimps on skills or spectacle. From the opening aerial bubble contortions of Elena Lev-Bakkar (official and accurate title in the programme 'Hot Russian Girl in a Bubble'), it's obvious that Empire is committed to knock-out circus-cabaret entertainment performed by those wading in the more comely corner of the gene pool.
 

Alongside the more familiar acrobatic displays, there's plenty that is refreshingly original, as with Memet Bilgin's meditative stick-balancing act and a routine in which one gymnast juggles the body of another using only his feet – astonishing feats both. And, unlike Cirque du Soleil, its resident clowns, Oscar the Impresario and wife Fanny, won't make you want to pry your eyes out: their regurgitatory juggling act is a highlight.