Down in Fools Paradise in Victoria Square, you will find a collection of some of the cheekiest, funniest and most physically impressive shows that the Adelaide Fringe has to offer.
A little further away from the main Fringe action, it’s a little less chaotic. Great food, amazing bar and some fun games to play, it’s one of the best places to get that festival experience without as much foot traffic.
But that isn't why I ventured down to Fools Paradise.
No, the show calling me this year was the winner of last year’s Sydney Fringe Best Cabaret and Variety Award, 'Lash Out'. Run by the incredibly talented Head First Acrobatics, the expectation set from the show description, partnered with my experience viewing shows from this amazing acrobatics troupe last year, had me very curious for exactly what I was in for.
Once we were all seated, we were greeted with the pumping vibe of a catwalk performance from the entire cast. Watching them strut was less model, more ballroom, and immediately I was drawn in by the details. The all-woman cast was glamorous, strong, and even in the most subtle choreography, you could tell that they could dance! Setting a high-energy tone from the jump, this only intensified once our host for the night, the decorated street performer Sian Brigid, took the stage.
Sian immediately had the audience wrapped around her finger, getting us all to cheer and clap, while setting the ground rules. She then introduced the first act of the night, a captivating hoops performance from one of the notable names in this ensemble, Chelsea Angell. With the track ‘Whole Lotta Woman’ pumping in the background, her spinning and control were hypnotic. Following her first act was another major star of this product, aerialist Jessica Robbins. Her combination dance and trapeze routine to Missy Elliott’s ‘Pass That Dutch’, was an instant wow.
Our host Sian insisted the audience “cheer when we saw something that we could not do ourselves”, and there is no doubt that nobody else in the room could pull off the moves that these two insanely brilliant performers were pulling out.
Just when you were wowed by the physicality of the previous two performers, Sian also showed why she has won awards for her street performances. Her fire-breathing/eating routine had my jaw on the floor the entire time. Combining seduction and sensuality with the dangerous act of essentially playing with fire, it was one of those moments where you truly understand what the Fringe Festival is about.
We were then privy to a cheeky and fun acro display from Gemma Jones. It never ceases to blow my mind how people like Gemma defy any concept that my brain comprehends as human movement. Along with the physicality, again, there was humour. I was definitely giggling when she told us to be quiet so we could ensure we did not miss the subtleties in her performance. Each night as well, there were performers from other shows, and on this particular show, we were treated to the tantalising Juniper Fox (who has another show running in Fools Paradise called 'SMUT'). As soon as I heard the opening riff of Def Leppard’s ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ I knew we were in for a HOT performance.
Just like the rest of the show, it was sultry, it was fun, and my god was it impressive. There was not much else I could say to keep this review PG, but all the more reason to go, go, GO and check it out for yourself.
Another guest act was the hilariously sexy burlesque performer Mae B. Wilde. The storyline that oh so many of us women can relate to (I don’t want to spoil the fun too much), done in a fun striptease, it showed the true essence of burlesque and striptease performances.
There were so many other impressive feats to mention. From full-scale dance routines that were infused with both comedy and women’s empowerment, more displays of intense and jaw-dropping acrobatics and aerial art (including a final act that had me shook), sword swallowing and even crowd participation that I somehow got to be a part of (taking a phallic balloon crown home on the bus certainly raised some eyebrows).
I could go on in intense detail about each act, but that would defeat the purpose of this review. 'Lash Out' is hands-down one of my favourite shows I have seen in the almost 20 years of attending Fringe shows. It is funny. It is awe-inspiring. It’s naughty. It is creative. It is sexy as hell.
The costuming, the music, the lighting and the choreography enhance stunts and movement that would be incredible to witness in an empty room with no other frills.
The hype is real.