Gluttony – The Speakeasy, Sat 12 Feb

USA. 1930. Prohibition time. Alcohol was illegal. People gathered in clandestine establishments called speakeasies to drink bootleg whisky out of teacups. In truth the original speakeasies weren’t essentially places of entertainment but just places where people went to drink. The Fringe’s own Speakeasy in Gluttony (Australia, 2016) is quite different – alcohol is encouraged, and there’s entertainment aplenty – albeit in keeping with the prohibition era. An MC gets the crowd warmed up with some good natured banter, and then it’s in to a succession of song and dance and variety acts.

A raunchy female singer, acrobats, a raconteur police agent, a hula hoop girl, juggler, magic acts, and a balloon swallowing hunchback all strut their stuff in a circus like revue. No deep meanings here – just a collection of novelty acts to keep us amused. The acrobatics were impressive and while not quite flying trapeze they certainly got high enough to touch the roof of the tent. Watching someone tell a story with a whole pack of cards was a first for me and cleverly done.

The show’s resident freak offered lots of slapstick gags involving balls and balloons disappearing and reappearing in strange places and was quite charming in his own weird way. Probably went on a bit long though.

The same could be said of the whole show. All of the acts were entertaining enough, and charming in their old-fashioned simplicity, but it perhaps needs a little pruning for modern audiences with shorter attention spans.

Michael Coghlan

Prohibition continues at Gluttony – The Speakeasy from 9.45pm until Sat 28 Feb.

Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

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Gluttony – The Speakeasy, Sat 12 Feb USA. 1930. Prohibition time. Alcohol was illegal. People gathered in clandestine establishments called speakeasies to drink bootleg whisky out of teacups. In truth the original speakeasies weren’t essentially places of entertainment but just places where people went to drink. The Fringe’s own Speakeasy in Gluttony (Australia, 2016) is quite different – alcohol is encouraged, and there’s entertainment aplenty – albeit in keeping with the prohibition era. An MC gets the crowd warmed up with some good natured banter, and then it’s in to a succession of song and dance and variety acts. A raunchy female singer, acrobats, a raconteur police agent, a hula hoop girl, juggler, magic acts, and a balloon swallowing hunchback all strut their stuff in a circus like revue. No deep meanings here – just a collection of novelty acts to keep us amused. The acrobatics were impressive and while not quite flying trapeze they certainly got high enough to touch the roof of the tent. Watching someone tell a story with a whole pack of cards was a first for me and cleverly done. The show’s resident freak offered lots of slapstick gags involving balls and balloons disappearing and reappearing in strange places and was quite charming in his own weird way. Probably went on a bit long though. The same could be said of the whole show. All of the acts were entertaining enough, and charming in their old-fashioned simplicity, but it perhaps needs a little pruning for modern audiences with shorter attention spans. Michael Coghlan Prohibition continues at Gluttony – The Speakeasy from 9.45pm until Sat 28 Feb. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

The Clothesline Rating...

Michael Coghlan

Entertainment aplenty!

User Rating: 3.28 ( 3 votes)
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