Love, Loss And Lattes: The Symbiosis Of Coffee And Physical Theatre at Tandanya – Adelaide Fringe Review

Tandanya – Theatre, Thu 25 Feb A relationship with coffee? Love, Loss And Lattes is espressoed in physical theatre with elements of gymnastics, contemporary dance, physical theatre - pole dancing, aerial silks and aerial ring - mime and a very small amount of monologue. Missy has put together a show that expresses the struggles of study, the dependence on a stimulant and the desire to be living a different life. This is explored through the various routines, many of which revolve around a coffee mug, whether it’s balanced on her head (through a floor routine), tucked in between chin and shoulder, or limb joints while pole dancing. These routines worked well and exhibited strength and coordination even without this additional complicating element. The set was relatively simple, and the show had been developed so that we could follow the path of Missy through her struggles and the help that coffee was, at least to a point. There was also the wow factor of flawless routines, balancing and strength on the apparatus, and in particular with the aerial silks being performed with no floor mat as back up. Missy also used a lot of facial expression where we saw the struggles and sometimes turmoil, but this was also quite well reflected in the body language of the routines, particularly the slower ones. As one should expect, there is also the sheer joy of watching her skilled physical performance; the strength and coordination that certainly infected the audience, but which also lifted Missy, perhaps like little coffee highs along the way? Clayton Werner Love Loss And Lattes continues at Tandanya – Theatre, at various times, until Sun 28 Feb. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.