There’s dinner and a show and then there’s dinner and this show. Imagine if you will, a twenty-five metre velvet big top called Victoria – one of the last remaining mirror tents in the world. Inside are ornate mirrored columns and bevelled booths.

If the tent itself wasn’t enough of a showstopper, then imagine my amazement at the faeries, men in heels, burlesques dancers, and glitter-covered masses that appear before me as I enter the antique tent.

Smoke machines pump mystery over this incandescent scene, as guests take their allotted seats at intimate tables circling the stage.

There is already hot and cold Mediterranean anti pasto on the tables, a welcome gesture after the queue outside.

Guests are welcomed with the usual pomp and flair as plates of delicate parcels of wild mushroom ravioli circulate the tent – it’s no mean feat to serve 400 people all at the same time.

And while this feat is impressive – the real show starts as the plates are cleared.

Brave, dramatic, stupefying and even silly acts follow one after the other. There’s dancing, singing, jumping, acrobatics and masses of light relief. The cast is an assortment of South Africans and international artists. The mix of the comedic, enchanting, and simply impressive acts makes for a show that’s never boring. And they’re dressed to kill.

A trio of soul-singing women with afros decorated with feathers drift off the main stage as glittering waiters bring the main course. There is choice, but the star of the show is the by-now famous chocolate chilli fillet. The unctuous black sauce paired with smoky fillet and crispy noodles is just as good as it ever was.

The show resumes with aerial acrobatics. Boundaries are pushed on this miniature stage – and the watching crowd believes the magic.

After dessert, one last act takes centre stage – one that has the crowd gasping in disbelief. Two men in rollerskates perform an energetic dance. One is lifted into the air by his neck and exacts what appears to be a 360-degree turn – an impossible feat for ordinary human necks.

The show’s over, but for some, the night is just beginning.

By Malu Lambert

* For the moment Madame Zingara’s Love Magic Tour is anchored at Century City, but will soon be heading north to Johannesburg. Catch it while you can.