By Peter Maddern
The value and attraction of physical theatre / circus acts have certainly dawned on the major venue operators this year with competition between the biggies to capture the headline shows that serve as anchors for their seasons. Gluttony’s choice is Papillon which initially presents as another bohemian gypsy show (the music director wears a fez and two of the performers wear vests that look cast offs from Adam Ant) but is actually rather more home grown than that.
In the Lotus Palace, the usual parade of performances includes (by way of novelty) a mouse trap piano, sugar rock stars, dancing chairs and hoops, lots of hoops. After the interval, the humour of the whole show becomes rather more overt through initially a strong man act by a guy dressed only in red hooped underwear (which excessively adorns his equipment) and who bares a strong resemblance to Bryan Ferry or Errol Flynn (take your pick depending on which generation is yours.) Then the songs also get somewhat more risqué and there was a genuine naughty moment near the end.
It is all rather good fun and while you can probably see better (‘death defying’) gymnastics elsewhere the humour and lower ticket prices make Papillon more than a safe choice.
Kryztoff Rating 3.5K
Recent Comments