If you’re going to perform a parody burlesque show of Spider-Man, you have to go all out. From your acting to costuming to interactions with the audience, everything has to be completely over-the-top (to differentiate yourself from the Spider-man we all know and love), because otherwise there is no point in doing it. Thankfully the cast of the Justass League didn’t just go over-the-top with With Great Power, they took it to such dizzying heights and absolutely absurd levels of ridiculousness that the crowd went nuts for the entire ninety-minute show.
"Face it Tiger, you just hit the jackpot!" - Moisty Magic as M.J.
Narrated by Stan Lee (Mark Metaphor looking surprisingly like the bespectacled writer), With Great Power is a hilarious look at a day in the life of Peter Parker as Spider-Man. Choc-full of his greatest villains, long-time loves and other super-hero pals, with the amazing crowd we had inside the Nexus Arts Centre, it turned into one raucous pantomime. Cheering Spidey, booing bad guys, screaming at the striptease on stage, and clapping at efforts that all the cast members were putting into their performances, it showed how much a crowd can elevate a show to the next level. With such a huge cast of characters (I think it was at least thirteen), I can’t talk about every performer, but the favourites for this reviewer were: Kitty Obsidian as the slinky Black Cat (with whip and all), Diana Divine as Doc Ock (it took me a few minutes to realise that she didn’t have a robot arm), Rosie Roulette as Spider Gwen (a bit of Nirvana mixed with a trans rights message), and the always entertaining Saskia as Deadpool. If ever a person matched a character to perfection, it was Saskia and Deadpool. I actually think she may be a little crazier than him!
With Great Power is one of the reasons I love reviewing shows. Small, independent artists have come together to create something unique and put all of their hearts and souls into it. The costumes alone are worth coming to see this show, but it’s the performers who you’ll really fall in love with. Take your fringe viewing out of the East End and head to the Nexus Arts Centre for a show that will leave you dripping web. Enjoy!
FIVE STARS *****
Reviewed by Shane Berketa