What: Matador – sabor de amor
Where: Gluttony – The Octagon
Duration: 90 minutes (with 10-minute interval)
Genre: Circus & Physical Theatre

(Reviewed by John Glennie)

This performance has lots of WOW factors – stunning acrobatics, eroticism, burlesque, rhythm and dance.

The whole show is beautifully choreographed and tastefully done. Fourteen outstanding performers with amazing skills move from scene to scene seamlessly as they tell their story of love, sex and infidelity. Would love to get hold of their musical score – it was a great selection relevant to each act whether it be energetic, Latin-style or sensual.

The “show” even starts while the audience are entering the venue and taking their seats – several pairs were leaning against the stage, strutting around seductively, kissing and fondling each other! The man seated behind me said “we should tell them to get a room!”. That sensuality soon emerged on the stage.

The theme of sex and doubt are portrayed throughout the 90 minutes – a couple dancing and performing erotic acrobatics together, then the male is distracted by another male at the front of the stage. His conflict is evident – do I stay with my girlfriend or am I drawn to this man? Both males then move into a stunning aerial act.

One of the gorgeous girls moves seductively onto the stage, performs a semi-striptease then cavorts around a bed suspended from the roof. Very exotic and sensual.

However, I won’t say too much more about it as don’t want to give too many spoilers. This is definitely a 2021 Fringe show that is not to be missed. Leaving the Octagon, all I heard were positive comments including “wow”, “that was #@!%ing awesome”, etc – you get the picture!