Science Magic: Messy Mayhem ~ Unicorn Vomit Is Funny! ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[Kids and Family/Science ~ IRE] The Lark at Gluttony – Rymill Park, Sat 18 Feb, 2023. Part Science/part comedy, with fleeting references towards magic (that are all explained as science). Despite admonitions at the start of the show about bad language, that we the audience, shouldn’t use any, as this is a children’s show – there are lots of fart and a few bum references along the way – where would comedy be without such I sometimes wonder? The show is performed with the sorts of items, solutions and chemicals that might be found in any kitchen or laundry in the western world and of course, the results can be quite spectacular, if downright messy… so most of the stunts come with the warning – yes, you can do this at home, but make sure that mum knows what you are doing! Any good children’s show needs children on the stage and several volunteers were needed to both help and to act as the potential fall-guy. One very brave lad stood underneath a sealable plastic bag of what was described as slightly processed apple juice as we witnessed the quite unspectacular effect of the bag being pierced first with a sharp pencil and second a ‘sharp’ carrot – illustrating how well the science of sealing and pressure worked. A balloon somewhat filled with water with a face drawn on it, became a legitimate character of the show and refused to burst despite being burnt with a candle at the bottom and then sucked into a glass carafe with negative pressure – very entertaining. After every trick came the scientific explanation of what was happening, as well as some insights into how one might perform this trick successfully, including the famous pulling the tablecloth from under the China dishes – with appropriate twists. There was also a very amusing little Unicorn who got the vomits, I mean who’d have thought that a Unicorn could vomit! The audience gasped in delight and laughed on cue as Donal Vaughan led us through his well-rehearsed schtick and tricks. The final trick was the only one that was neither explained nor encouraged to be tried at home – primarily as it involved fire! It was spectacular, but of course, fire can be dangerous… There are magic shows aplenty and kids can enjoy fairies and imaginative tales, but it is refreshing to see great stunts and to hear about the science of how they work, physics and chemistry for the most part (biology if you include the Unicorn vomit, but of course it wasn’t a real Unicorn, or was it)? 4 stars Clayton Werner Science Magic: Messy Mayhem continues at The Lark at Gluttony – Rymill Park from 11.30am until Sun 19 Mar. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #TheClothesline #ADLFringe