A runway juts out into a crowd of cabaret tables. A giant, looming video wall opens on a doctor crouched over an operating table. The doctor, a young boy, meticulously stitches a teddy bear before the video wall splits and London’s Roundhouse surges to life!

And so it begins, Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show.

The show is something of a memoir for Jean Paul Gaultier (if memoirs were loud, sassy and sexy that is) and also something of a homage to the inspirations that have projected Gaultier into Fashion legend. It may be a young man’s wide-eyed wonder that starts the show, but it’ll be the audience who are left wide-eyed at what’s to come.

Fashion Freak Show is an aesthetic powerhouse. Dancers strut down the runway in ensembles of legendary Gaultier designs to some of the biggest musical hits of all time. The crew frantically throw costumes onto performers with seconds to spare. The outfits become outrageously risque (cue the Fashion Police) as the night continues and a death-defying gymnast spins and twirls high above a catwalk orgy of neon and kink. 

It’s called fashion, look it up.

Gaultier’s genius comes to life on stage with a plethora of outrageous and risque costumes. The entire show start to finish is a strong blend of runway models and dancing; think runway energy in a theatre setting. New designs meet iconic creations, provocatively distorting the very fabric of human anatomy. 

But don’t be fooled though, Fashion Freak Show is much, much more than a dollop of big old superficial fashion. 

Behind the tantalising dances is the incredible life story of Jean Paul Gaultier. 

The narrative is set in four parts.

The show starts with Part 1: The Beginning/ Inspirations, portraying Gaultier’s childhood in a dazzling display of dancing Teddy bears and classrooms.

Before you know it, you’re ushered swiftly into Part 2: The Enfant Terribles with ‘Jean Paul Meets Francis’ a romantic performance where the audience are introduced to Francis Menuge. ‘First Fashion Show’ and ‘Rated X’ bring electricity into the Roundhouse that shocks you throughout the night.

After a short interval the show swings back into action in Part 3: How To Do Zat. We sit helpless and heartbroken through ‘Francis’ Last Dance’. And in true to Gaultier’s legacy, body positivity comes out in force in ‘It’s a Man’s World’.

And finally, Part 4: Everybody Is Beautiful, a scandalous celebration of life, including a message from Jean Paul Gaultier himself.

Fashion Freak Show is an absolute must see combination of circus and controversy. With only 52 performances if you get the chance to go, then for the love of all things fashion, do it! 

Check out where you can get your hands on some tickets here.

Love a bit of that thespian lifestyle? Check out our review of Cruise, showing for a limited run over at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End.