Super Mario and the dancing queens perform a cabaret bonbon

Juggling superstar Mario, Queen of the Circus, has swapped tents for a theatre with a beautiful show in Adelaide’s Cabaret Festival

Cirque Bon Bon performers Mario, Queen of the Circus (Clarke McFarlane), Shania Locke, Thomas Worrell and Tiara Locke. Picture: Tom Huntley

He’s surrounded by dancing beauties and alluring acrobats on stage but leather-clad lothario Mario is still “Queen of the Circus” at this year’s Cabaret Festival.

Latin lover Mario leads the cast of Cirque Bon Bon, which also features aerialists and contortionists, at the Space Theatre until Sunday.

The superstar modelled his moustached look on Queen’s late singer Freddie Mercury and performs his spectacular juggling routines to a soundtrack of the UK band’s rock anthems.

“Unlike many of the shows I’ve been in, there are other things in this one which are beautiful – outside of me,” joked Mario.

Cirque Bon Bon performers Mario, Queen of the Circus (Clarke McFarlane), Shania Locke, Thomas Worrell and Tiara Locke, pictured backstage ahead of their Cabaret Festival season. Picture: Tom Huntley

“They have magical dance numbers running through the show, so it brings this dreamlike, ethereal and really amazing feeling to the whole event.”

Mario – aka US performer Clarke McFarlane – has previously visited with his solo show and been part of the cast of Fringe hits La Clique and La Soiree. “This time there is a new act for Adelaide, a special rock opera finale,” he said.

“What sets this show apart is the gorgeous feeling of it – it’s quite stunning.”

The Cabaret Festival continues until June 25.