Arts

Cabaret Festival Review: Die Roten Punkte: Otto & Astrid Play the Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert You’ve Ever Seen!

A welcome return to Australia’s own version of Spinal Tap – the outrageously funny Die Roten Punkte.

4

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed 23 June 2022

Otto and Astrid Rot are back! After six years away from the Adelaide stage, this bickering brother and sister act are rocking the Cabaret Festival once more. And it’s about time.

Clare Bartholomew and Daniel Tobias are the talent and brains behind the comedy duo known as Die Roten Punkte (The Red Dots). Their faux German characters sing, dance, argue and play multiple instruments with such self-assured enthusiasm that there can only be calamity.

From slapstick entanglements with technology to naff song lyrics about bananas, automatic doors, sex, and alien dance parties, Otto and Astrid rule the stage. They have an abundance of enthusiasm and no end of talent. Both are great singers and know how to engage their audience, but Otto also plays the guitar, keytar and loops, while Astrid hammers out the numbers on drums, a cow bell, and a miniature accordion. Watch out Hans. She’s unstoppable.

The show is localised, with references to places and current news in Adelaide. The duo know their audience well. They also play their audience well, serenading individuals, leading a singalong, and inviting input during various parts of the show. They respond smoothly to adlibbed conversations, showing genuine comedy nous.

Die Roten Punkte bring a punk flavour to the cabaret scene, although their song list is much broader than that, including ballads, pop, grunge, and drinking songs. Decked out in heavy face makeup of bright red lipstick and white faces, they make an immediate visual impact that is as memorable as their lyrics and antics.

Sadly, their return season is short, but will hopefully open the automatic door for many more future visits.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet

Venue: The Famous Spiegeltent, Festival Plaza, Adelaide
Season: until 25 June 2022
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: https://www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au/events/die-roten-punkte/

Rating out of 5: 4

Photo Credit: Claudio Raschella

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