June 6, 2011
This rip-roaring, rollicking rollercoaster of a show was like chancing across a very fine street entertainer in town whilst shoe-shopping, stopping to watch, then finding yourself still there and still enthralled several hours later. Combining circus skills, magic, surreal musical routines, comedy, live-action painting and a whole bunch more madcap antics, this was a variety show in the truest sense.
Unsurprisingly, as it it turns out, every slightly familiar-looking cast member is a seasoned street entertainer, circus/cabaret performer and/or actor at the top of their game. Any repeat visitor to Winchester's legendary Hat Fair (annual street theatre festival) or Glastonbury Festival's circus fields will have seen these faces before. Each member of Slightly Fat... is thus multi-talented, with one or more specialisms - so not only are you treated to some of the meanest (and most blasé) club-juggling I've ever seen, but also there is an amazing Teddy Boy artist, an excellent multi-instrumentalist (and musical director), an escapologist, a surrealist clown-musician, a tiny cowboy...oh, and a horse. And some tigers. And a boss-eyed, Kiss-styled tiger-tamer. And some unicycling. And diablo. And audience participation. And some mime. And lots of water. Basically: if it's variety you want, you will be happy here. There's nothing to offend either (this is a family show, suitable for all ages) - just plenty to amuse, often raising genuine belly-laughs out of the captivated audience. This isn't nu-variety, with the edge of rock-brothel chic that's so trendy nowadays; it's good old-fashioned family fun, and it works 100%, putting a big fat smile on the face of everyone present. The timing of each piece is pitch-perfect too, allowing no time for even a millisecond of attention deficit.
Incredibly, Slightly Fat... only got together in their current form in 2006, in the Devonshire seaside (and folk-festival-hosting) town of Sidmouth. Since then, fixtures have included a sell-out run at the Roundhouse in Camden and accolades have poured in (The Stage describes them as “Pure showmen, clearly heading for the big time”) - so if they're on at a theatre near you, get your tickets in quick. Dates can be perused on their website: http://www.slightlyfatfeatures.com
One last thing: if you sit in the front row (which I recommend) - take a brolly! ;)
Unsurprisingly, as it it turns out, every slightly familiar-looking cast member is a seasoned street entertainer, circus/cabaret performer and/or actor at the top of their game. Any repeat visitor to Winchester's legendary Hat Fair (annual street theatre festival) or Glastonbury Festival's circus fields will have seen these faces before. Each member of Slightly Fat... is thus multi-talented, with one or more specialisms - so not only are you treated to some of the meanest (and most blasé) club-juggling I've ever seen, but also there is an amazing Teddy Boy artist, an excellent multi-instrumentalist (and musical director), an escapologist, a surrealist clown-musician, a tiny cowboy...oh, and a horse. And some tigers. And a boss-eyed, Kiss-styled tiger-tamer. And some unicycling. And diablo. And audience participation. And some mime. And lots of water. Basically: if it's variety you want, you will be happy here. There's nothing to offend either (this is a family show, suitable for all ages) - just plenty to amuse, often raising genuine belly-laughs out of the captivated audience. This isn't nu-variety, with the edge of rock-brothel chic that's so trendy nowadays; it's good old-fashioned family fun, and it works 100%, putting a big fat smile on the face of everyone present. The timing of each piece is pitch-perfect too, allowing no time for even a millisecond of attention deficit.
Incredibly, Slightly Fat... only got together in their current form in 2006, in the Devonshire seaside (and folk-festival-hosting) town of Sidmouth. Since then, fixtures have included a sell-out run at the Roundhouse in Camden and accolades have poured in (The Stage describes them as “Pure showmen, clearly heading for the big time”) - so if they're on at a theatre near you, get your tickets in quick. Dates can be perused on their website: http://www.slightlyfatfeatures.com
One last thing: if you sit in the front row (which I recommend) - take a brolly! ;)