Returning for it’s third Adelaide Fringe season, Confetti & Chaos is back, and it’s better than ever. This hilarious interactive dinner experience is very quickly gaining the following it deserves as was clearly evident by the response of the audience. Their opening weekend performances are sold out, and the rest of the season is hot on its tail.
The concept behind Confetti & Chaos is simple: the audience are guests at a surprise wedding reception for Will and Stacey organised by Stacey’s parents, Lynn and Ray. From here, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, and chaos unfolds around you. It’s quick, it’s witty, and it’s hilarious.
The cast of four work like a well oiled machine, all playing multiple characters and switching between them seamlessly. Antigone Duchesne finds excellent contrast between Stacey (the bride), Vicky (the waitstaff) and Val (a surprise guest who appears at one point — no spoilers!). Duchesne is a new member to this team, but she is exceptional in her character work. Matthew Robson as father of the bride Ray, and best man Ricky, is hilarious. He has found a wonderful balance between the two roles. His ‘old man’ mannerisms and shuffle as Ray are perfectly hilarious. Adelaide’s own Jack Newell is brilliant as Will the groom and Mervin the waitstaff. Newell is a master of his craft. You almost feel sorry for him at times as Will and he knows how to work the audience as Mervin (who could easily be the love child of Warwick Capper and Eric Bana’s character Poida from Full Frontal). Almost stealing the show is the incredible Monique Lewis Reynolds who plays mother of the bride Lyn and the social media crazed influencer Aunt Mel. Reynolds knows how to work the room and quickly puts people’s minds at ease, getting them swept up into the chaotic events that are unfolding around them. She is quick and nothing seems to ever faze or catch her off guard.
Like their sister show, the much loved Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the magic of Confetti & Chaos lies in the ad lib banter with the audience in between the scripted components of the show.
The staff at the Royal Coach Hotel need to be praised for their incredible service. They work in a drilled procession when it comes to table service. The three course meal, which is part of the ticket cost, is delicious, and you are not left feeling hungry at the end.
This is interactive dining at its best. However, don’t let the word ‘interactive’ put you off. This cast treats the entire room with the utmost care and they gently pull you into this chaotic wedding reception. You feel like you are part of their family. There are only a few performances left this Fringe, so grab a group of friends, frock up and attend a wedding reception like no other — it’s total chaos, but in the best possible way.