Righto, it's time to grab a cold one and settle into The Vault at Fool's Paradise one summer arvo this Adelaide Fringe season, as you are treated to a true-blue circus show by the powerhouse of femxle-led performers from YUCK Circus.
Paying homage to the classics of Australian culture that span across food (e.g. Vegemite), drink (e.g. iced coffee), sport (e.g. netball), and pop culture references (e.g. Shannon Noll, Kath and Kim, Bondi Rescue), DEADSET gives their audience with a solid hour of no-bullshit, all-class entertainment with a Bogan spin that is highly entertaining and leaves you in equal parts stitches (from laughing too hard) and speechless (with their impeccable strength, agility, and synchronisation). Ever seen a tradie soak themselves in iced coffee enough to transform into a sexual icon? What about a bin chicken trapeze act? Oh and let's not forget about balancing a cutla West End tinnies whilst doing the splits without flinching! You get the idea - it's a rollercoaster of nostalgic references that are weaved into impressive acts of physical theatre to have you bounce between being stunned and shocked to your very core.
The venue is large enough for the performers to strut their skills of flexibility, high-flying acrobatics, and strength via aerial silk, skipping (do not underestimate this one in particular), roller skating, clowning, and diabolo juggling (to name a few). While each act demonstrates a level of form and finesse, it is all done with a peppering of humour that glimmer in the performer's eyes and facial expressions that will be impossible to leave you cracking up with glee. Throw in a strong and foot-tapping playlist from the 80s and this instantly places you in an environment of larrikin delights.
Whether you've been born and raised here in 'Straya or are new to the world down under, it won't take you long to catch onto the Aussie lingo that is flung around throughout the show. This is probably one of the most wholesome and enjoyable shows I've watched this year at the Adelaide Fringe and there is no doubt in my head that you will leave the show with a sense of patriotic pride (and perhaps a craving for either fairy bread or a barbie sesh with your mates).
This is a ripper show, which knuckles down on toxic masculinity by redefining the strength and sexual appeal of womxn, who break all norms of gender and sexuality to show us what an absolute beauty it is to be anything but a 'typical Shiela'.
YUCK Circus: DEADSET will be performing at the Vault in Fool's Paradise (Victoria Square) till March 5th 2023. Tix can be purchased here.
Date attended: 24/02/2023
Overall review: ★★★★★