'LIMBO – The Return' was amazing – the best cabaret show to hit Brisbane in years! If you like seductive, sexy productions full of surprises, this performance is for you.
Hosted at the brand-new West End Electric theatre, 'LIMBO – The Return' was a sexy circus for grown-ups. Part of Brisbane Festival, 'LIMBO' was a reimagining of an award-winning show which toured 17 countries and combined circus, dance, acrobatics and live – and innovative – music.
While the performers hail from across the globe, a stand-out show-stealer was home-grown dancer, Hilton Denis. Exuding old Hollywood glamour, Denis tap danced his way into the audience members' hearts with a cheekiness and sex appeal that had people moaning in their seats (literally) with delight. Similarly, Clara Fable from Sydney was another complete attention-grabber. Dressed like a turbo-charged 1950s pinup, Fable sang, danced. . . And ate fire. She was absolutely magnetic.
Every set was fierce – each performer brought a unique blend of skill and charisma to the stage, as well as whimsy. Only the cast of 'LIMBO' would think to role play little white rabbits, drop tonnes of feathers from the ceiling and use a glass bowl and a marble as a musical instrument.
'LIMBO – The Return' - Image © Glen Scarborough
Indeed, the funky, innovative music was one of the stand-out elements of the show. Blending electronic, orchestral (think massive tubas, rather than soaring violins) and wacky influences, the music served both as a break between acrobatic performances and comedic pulses. The live musicians were every bit featured performers as the acrobats and dancers.
Sxip Shirey, the main musician, ringleader and show composer, opened the show with an unusual blend of harmonica, bull horn and heavy breathing. His mouthwork could be described as beatbox. . . But weirder. His whole aura was the pinnacle of funk, with tight white jeans, white blazer, and madcap I’ve-just-been-electrocuted hair finishing off his stage ensemble. The musicians and circus performers interacted and played together – a set using music and reflected light was an especially impactful example of this interplay.
'LIMBO – The Return' was an absolute must-see. It was an incredibly sexy show, with ribbons of burlesque running through it, but was never exploitative, cheap or sexist. There was a quick flash of full-frontal male nudity, but it served more a comedic rather than salacious purpose.
The show of the season.
