Kryztoff RAW» Circus

Fringe: Garden Opening – 16 Feb

Peter — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:51:19 +0000

The Opening of the Garden of Unearthly Delights

16 Feb – 18 March

Rundle Park

By Ben Nielsen

They say that The Garden of Unearthly Delights is so large this year that it actually resides within two separate postcodes. It’s true. As you walk the length of the garden path that travels from Adelaide to Kent Town, you realise that the Garden has come a long way since opening in 2002 with a solitary Spiegeltent.

In 2012, its 10^th anniversary, Kadlitpinna or Rundle Park is again transformed into the bohemian splendour that is The Garden of Unearthly Delights. This year the Garden boasts an array of new and old venues, around 100 artists, a number of sideshow rides, and an eclectic range of art, crafts and food stalls.

The opening night party was nothing short of a spectacle. A brief gala variety performance, hosted by the hilarious Sammy J and Randy, gave a taste of the headlining acts of the 2012 season- including comedy, dance, theatre and circus.

It is hard to choose a standout performance or provide a recommendation, as each short routine was as equally spectacular. The Love Birds performed a raucous drag show style revue, The Magnets’ gave a sleek a capella mash-up of Adele and Stevie Wonder, a member of Soap contorted and twirled in a bath tub, and the youth performers of Flipside Circus showed great courage and maturity as they confronted issues of teenage angst in an act of gymnastic theatre.

To rephrase one of the organisers, the Garden really does act as an equaliser for a diversity of people; the performers and audience members both interacting within the lavish intimacy and eclecticism of the Garden. Above anything else, it is a delight simply to sprawl underneath the branches of a tree and soak up the many sights, sounds and flavours.

The Garden of Unearthly Delights is open in Rundle Park until March 18. Entry is free, for all ages (minors must be accompanied after midnight). For a full list of performances, visit www.gardenofunearthlydelights.com.au

FRINGE – Circus – This Is What We Do For A Living – AC Arts- 4K

MiriamK — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:16:15 +0000

Ken and Tina might have the larger than necessary shoes, but this is more than just a clown act. Sure, there are elements of that in it, with some great physical tumbling and silly humour, but there’s also skilful acrobatics, an overarching storyline and the interaction between two performers with good chemistry. This is circus with a narrative and likeable characters.

Over the course of an hour, the history of Ken and Tina’s career together is played out on stage in a variety of different mediums – trapeze, juggling and rope climbing, to name a few. Voice-overs help the story progress as the performers accomplish their tricks, while appropriate music and well-designed lighting help to set the mood. The only drawback of this is that the audience becomes hesitant to applaud the physical feats, lest they miss something in the plotline.

One of the best things about this show is that it’s designed to appeal to adults; while children will definitely enjoy the physical side of it, the story and jokes are mostly for the older members of the audience. Ken and Tina work well together both in executing their circus tricks and as a comedy duo, complimenting one another’s exaggerated characters and serving up a good dose of self-deprecation and mockery, while still showing off their skills.

This is a fun show which is definitely worth a look. Don’t be afraid to applaud!

Kryztoff Rating 4K

See all Kryztoff’s previews at www.kryztoff.com and all our reviews here at www.kryztoff.com/RAW and remember also to subscribe for Adelaide’s most up to date reviews. To win free tix, join us also on Facebook and Twitter.

To see reviews of shows not covered by Kryztoff go to BankSA Talkfringe at www.talkfringe.com.au.

FRINGE: Big Shoes To Fill – Bally / Gluttony – 4.5K

Peter — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:36:57 +0000

Anna ‘Pocket Rocket’ Lumb is the 50ft woman trying to live her life in a normal sized world. She finds solace in big things in rural temples like the Big Pineapple and the Big Orange and the Big Potato and the memories of an old teenage friend.

Using hoops as her preferred tools of trade, spurred on by a variety of music from Kim Carne to Brian Wilson, played at various speeds, Lumb cavorts and twists and stumbles across the stage, wearing an assortment of those shoes, splashing her audience with milk and banana and water and stuffing her mouth with fruit and bonbons. Sound bizarre? Well it is and adorably so.

This is what the Fringe is all about, a show so bizarre and quirky you quickly question what is folly and what is genius. Big Shoes To Fill is forty minutes of extraordinary fun. Catch it in its short season ending Sunday.

Kryztoff Rating 4.5K

To see reviews of shows not covered by Kryztoff go to BankSA Talkfringe at www.talkfringe.com.au.

FRINGE – Circus – Bubblewrap & Boxes – Bosco Theatre, Garden of Unearthly Delights – 3K

MiriamK — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:32:44 +0000

Klaus is an odd man. He lives alone. Alone except for his cardboard boxes, which he cleans and moves and ensures are just right. Sometimes, the mail brings a new box and Klaus lovingly incorporates it into his boxed world. Everything is as it should be. But then, a different kind of box is delivered, a box that upsets Klaus’ equilibrium. It contains another person who is inquisitive where he is anxious, friendly where he is hesitant and brave where he is afraid. Can Klaus learn that the unknown doesn’t necessarily have to be scary and gather the strength to leave his boxes?

This is an unusual piece of physical theatre, designed to appeal to children, but with a plot-line and message that may only be clear to adults. The two performers are skilful acrobats and use their physicality well. In the heat of the Bosco Theatre (the air-conditioning seemed to be broken), it must have been an intensely difficult feat for them to keep the energy up, but they managed it.

This oppressive atmosphere also made it necessary for the doors to remain open during the performance and the sounds of the Garden of Unearthly Delights filtered distractingly in. However, the style of the show – being predominantly non-verbal – meant that this was not such a great problem as it might have been for a more narrative driven piece.

Though some of the small details of the show still went over my head, and must have been equally lost on the younger viewers, this show provides a positive general message, in a fun manner to which the kids seemed to respond.

Kryztoff Rating: 3K

FRINGE: Cantina – Spiegeltent – 4K

Peter — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:54:04 +0000

Every Fringe has its great circus act and Cantina is 2011’s. In the style of the Tom Tom Crew and La Clique, a dusty, seedy, Bohemian atmosphere is perfectly developed in the Spiegeltent. Two female and four male performers excite, taunt, thrill and totally delight. A gripping high wire act segues into extraordinary contortionism followed by an illusionist show that will stay with you for a long time.

The dancing is aggressive, sexy, raunchy, sometimes violent. The trapeze work leaves you in awe and when the Cantina Crew attempt to go that extra with stilettos, skates and silica (in the form of broken glass) your breath is taken away.

Top flight entertainment. Get there.

Kryztoff Rating 4K

See all Kryztoff’s previews at www.kryztoff.com and all our reviews here at www.kryztoff.com/RAW and remember also to subscribe for Adelaide’s most up to date reviews.