Presented by Highwire Entertainment & Gluttony
Reviewed 22 February 2022
Daringly drastic moves, high-flying flips and spins, heart-racing live rock music, metre-high towers of balancing performers, all in an apocalyptic circus setting – what more could you ask for from a Fringe show?
At this year’s Fringe, The Defiant presents acrobatics, hand balancing (on other performer’s heads), contemporary dance, aerial silks, hula hoops, flying trapeze, juggling, Adagio/Hand to Hand, and climbing a three metre tall steel pole, all backed cleverly by a live rock soundtrack.
This brand new show by the director of the fan-favourite Rouge and the David Bowie bombshell Rebel, takes the audience into a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-like circus of jaw-dropping physical feats.
The strength these performers have is at times hard to comprehend. From upper back strength to leg strength to core strength – while also having a high level of flexibility – these performers will blow your mind. As they contort their bodies in ways you don’t think are possible, they then take the performance to the next level by adding more drama to their moves, drawing consistent gasps from the audience. Whether it be while hanging by one foot from an aerial silk or while being dropped metres from a trapeze, every move just gets more and more dramatic as the show goes on.
Compared to the glamorous sequins, bright reds, lacy lingerie and ultra-glamorous outfits in Rouge and Rebel, The Defiant is in stark contrast. Picture the wardrobes of the characters in apocalyptic Mad Max – ripped black jeans, plain khaki jumpsuits, frayed shorts, leather jackets and bottoms and grey hoodies, plus Doc Martens and bare feet. These pared-down outfits are complemented with dirt smudges and warrior-inspired eye and face makeup, giving these performers even more of a fierce edge. There’s no glamour here, and it’s actually quite refreshing to see. Your focus isn’t on the glittery, shimmering outfits, as, instead, you are totally tuned in to the physical moves and smaller details that you might otherwise be distracted from. In between acts, the use of eery background noises and sounds, such as a chilling wind whistling over deserted land, helps to transport the audience to a dystopian setting.
The live rock soundtrack was a surprising and prominently positive addition to the show, adding to the dystopian-like fierceness and moody moments within the atmosphere. With a mix of Evanescence darkness and goth-like drama, crossed with Florence + the Machine vocals and emotive performing, this live one-woman band (vocals, drums, guitar) packs a punch that is a fantastic asset to the production.
The Defiant definitely has an edge and is a refreshing break from the over-glamorous circus and cabaret. Here – the focus is simply on what these performers can do with their bodies. With some more shows under their belt for this new production, and confidence levels a tad higher, this will become a must-see circus production at Gluttony.
Reviewed by Georgina Smerd
Venue: The Peacock at Gluttony
Season: 23 Feb – 20 March 2022
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $25 – $70
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-defiant-af2022
Rating out of 5: 3.5
#Adelaide #ADLFringe #adelaidefringe2022 #gluttony
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