Adelaide Fringe Review – PLAYBACK

Words by Your Local Hok

Get the nightclub experience without having to wait in lines for entry and drinks.

Featuring a cast of predominately South Australian performers, Cocktail Creative bring you PLAYBACK, a flashback to the 80’s nightlife.

Follow along the dance crew of six as they venture out on a night out filled with love, flirty choreography, shots, and a whole lot of move-busting to pop hits of the decade.

Big Sash Daddy (aka Big Sash, Big Daddy, or Daddy) greets you outside the graffiti and oil-barrelled courtyard outside the show venue and runs you though your knowledge of 80’s songs, before picking out top scorers in the crowd to participate in a lip-sync battle for the chance to win a mystery prize.

Once the dance crew enters the courtyard and the secret knock is heard on the entrance door, the night begins. You’re escorted down the nightclub staircase where you’ll find no stage, but rather, the entire dancefloor is the stage.

This is definitely not a sit-down and watch show. You’ll be up-close and personal with the crew, who enthusiastically guide you around to all the performances of the show which rotate between different sections of the dance floor, with flashing neon lights, brightness, and darkness during performances and dance transitions.  

The crew engage with the crowd fabulously, constantly making eye-contact and interacting with the audience, making you feel fully immersed during the show as they perform their talents.  

Performing dance sequences to songs as You Spin Me Round, Beat It, and Time After Time, you’ll want to dance along and mimic the crew’s performances. In fact, you’ll get a chance to dance along with the crew and audience members to Nutbush City Limits, so make sure you wear your dancing shoes!

The vibe and feel throughout the show is of pure ecstatic, and time feels like it flies so fast whilst you’re watching the show which will make you want to re-live the show again to experience it from different angles.

Go and see PLAYBACK, it’s a scrunchie-filled and feel-great show to get you in the dancing mood for the rest of your evening out.

Rating: ★★★★★

Show details: PLAYBACK