Fall down the rabbit hole with Strut & Fret’s latest magic show, ‘The Purple Rabbit’.
Presented as part of Brisbane Festival at its entertainment hub in the Southbank Piazza, ‘The Purple Rabbit’ is a top pick among the programme, showcasing circus, magic, and comedy in a new and refreshing way.
Delivering on its brief of ‘mischief, mayhem and magic’, this variety-act show takes the rabbit well and truly out of the hat in a late-night fix of trickery. Everything’s on the menu at this sexy establishment. From beatboxing and sleight of hand magic to well-balanced circus stunts and sexy mentalist games, there’s many never-before-seen, 'hare-raising' stunts that need to be seen to be believed.
With a lux, wonderland-inspired feel, Southbank’s Piazza is infused with hot pink and feminine colours; accented across the set design. There are pink-patterned flats, a centre-stage playing space and a pink fabric chandelier that draws attention above the cabaret seated area. Slap-bass music plays, which fuels the groove and sexiness of the show, especially as audience members find their seats. On the back wall of the stage, a projection shows a cartoon pin-up (the brand of the show) who wears rabbit ears, and over time, the woman intensifies, indicating the start of the show.
The whole aesthetic of ‘The Purple Rabbit' really gives off a velvet nightclub feel. It’s moody, intriguing, and what would amount if 'Pink Panther' met 'James Bond'.
Taking its lead from host, Dom Chambers, the show bounded along with pace and energy. Chambers, who also triples as a comedian and award-winning magician, filled the production with charisma and natural comic timing. Making beers appear with the snap of a finger, and from shoes and paper bags, his sleight of hand tricks were sharp and impressive. He also playfully heckled the audience and had us onside for the entirety of the performance.
Also within the ensemble was Australian beat-box champion, Gale, who composed a layered electronic rave track with just his vocal skills, leaving the audience bopping in unison. Emma Phillips impressed with her foot-juggling abilities, balancing everything from umbrellas to tables on her tiptoes. Olympic magician, Vincent Kuo, performed a completely original act with Rubik’s Cubes, and his humour was youthful, nerdy, and tongue-in-cheek. Lastly, but in no means the least, Harper Jones added a sexual flair to the mix with her sexual 'psycho-cologist' routine, which saw her read the audience's minds to guess some hidden secrets.
Together, the performers redefined the term ‘magic’, giving it each their own unique interpretation. Consequently, ‘The Purple Rabbit’ was full of tricks that were surprising and entertaining.
Director Scott Maidment, alongside Chambers as Director of Magic, and Consultant, Simon Coronel, have created a spectacle of acts that are well and truly outside the magician’s hat. As an audience member, it meant that one couldn’t predict what was to come next – even if they were the best mentalist in the house.
‘The Purple Rabbit’ promises a great night of magic for adults. It awakens the child within and entertains in spades. If you’re searching for something at this year’s Brisbane Festival, hop no further.
