Fringe Review: Barbaroi
By Tony Polese · On March 5, 2022
What: Barbaroi
Where: The Quicksteps Outdoor ballroom at West Village
Duration: 60 minutes
Genre: Circus & Physical Theatre

(Reviewed by John Glennie)

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.

Get there early for a front row spot to be up real close to all the action.

A great show for families as well.