Intimacy. Passion. Seduction. Matador has it all and more! After their sold-out hit show in 2021, a cast of 14 returns for a breath-taking hundred-minute performance. Hooked from the first second, the audience find themselves in a blend of playful burlesque, heart-stopping acrobatics, and beautiful contemporary and Latin dance. Matador promises a wild night out that is not to be missed with a killer original soundtrack and saucy costumes to match.
Audience members are invited into the gripping story of passion between a bull and his Matador. Never before has an audience been so enthralled with a tale of carnal desires, forbidden love, and matters of the heart that extend past the walls of the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent at Gluttony. Playing with the duality between passion and pain, the show brings viewers to the edge of their seats from the first beat.
From samba to flamenco to salsa, the show gives Fringe-goers a taste of Spanish culture with a cheeky concoction of different Latin dance styles. Choreographed to amazing remixes and covers of popular songs, as well as some original scores, the dance side of Matador is second to none. Despite a certain global sickness confining viewers to their seats, the show inspires dance in the hearts of audience members (and if you don’t tell anyone I was dancing in my seat, I won’t either). Casting shadows and boosting the allure of the performers, the lighting and special effects really put the cherry on top of a perfect show.
At its core, Matador is about love. Love without labels, limitations or borders, a message especially important in the current state of the world. With a diverse cast that make hearts flutter and pulses race, the show brings to light the feeling of intimacy lost in the monotony of modern life. Slowing the tempo down midway through the show, a voice-over spells out this message for all to hear, suggesting that we cannot truly live without love in any of the forms it may take.
Despite the extended show time, I found myself wanting more. Not only was the story beautiful to witness, but the performers’ technical abilities in Latin dance, acrobatics and burlesque are unmatched. Winning the BankSA Best Dance Award in their first week of shows, Matador promises an awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, breath-holding performance that is sure to wow any audience. I cannot recommend Matador more, so get your tickets now before they sell out!
5/5 stars