What: Barbaroi
Where: Wonderland Spiegeltent – Festival Hub (Hindmarsh Square)
Duration: 55 minutes
Genre: Circus & Physical Theatre
(Reviewed by John Glennie)
I saw two circus / physical theatre shows in the last few days – Barbaroi and I Want To Touch You – and both were equally outstanding but both quite different. So please read both reviews if you can only fit one more show in before you decide! Otherwise, make sure you go to both shows J
If you want to be truly WOW-ed by incredible feats of brutish attitude, human strength, balance, flexibility and agility, then don’t miss Barbaroi.
This troupe has been performing at the Fringe in previous years, but first time I have seen them. Some people I have spoken to since then said the show is similar to previous years but with a few spectacular additions. Either way, this act is full-on from start to finish.
The Fringe website says: A dystopian world, industrial, cyberpunk in the not-too-distant future. Gangs overrun the neon-clad side streets, the underbelly and outcasts rule the pitch-black forgotten ruins of an old district. There is chaos, there is danger in the shadows. There is a showdown happening downtown; a lone wanderer stumbles amongst a crew of meta-human misfits, the Barbaroi. This is do or die, this is her initiation. Sums it up nicely really.
I never realised muscles could flex that far, and under full body weight, while being suspended in mid-air! The acts are quite dark in nature and with the music and lighting to match. Many of the performances are individual or with two people – and they are all amazing. They strut around the stage with the tough “barbarian” attitude which adds to the drama of the performance. Some of the balance and poise is mind-blowing – I will never look at a sheet of clear perspex sheeting the same ever again without thinking of this show!!
When they are all on stage it is spectacular, non-stop, heart-stopping action. Listening to comments when leaving the venue I think everyone was amazed and were raving about it.
My only criticism was the venue. I think these guys need a bigger stage to truly exploit their talent. The only elevated seating were “reserved” tables around the back and it was very hard to see everything if you were more than 2 or 3 rows from the stage, and there are quite chunky columns to inhibit viewing – so get there early to get a good seat near the front or organise a group and book one of the tables!
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