If there are three things you will take away from this performance it will be this: a greater understanding and appreciation of calypso music, always beware evil penguin dictators, and Barnie Duncan as ‘Juan Vesuvius’ is the most sexually frustrated Venezuelan to ever come from New Zealand. Simply put, Calypso Nights is phenomenal. Audience members were red in the face, folding over in laughter, and quite possibly walking away with the beginnings of six-pack abs from all the laughing that was throughout this experience.
Portraying a disc jockey from Venezuela named ‘Juan Vesuvius’, Duncan truly delivered a masterpiece of comedic relief. Dressed in flamboyant clothes reminiscent of a male flamenco dancer, armed with an assortment of maracas, and with the ability to leave married adult men curiously aroused, Duncan has managed to create a unique performance that audience members will definitely not be forgetting any time soon. Starting off speaking solely in Spanish, ‘Juan’ quickly discovers Brisbane’s notable lack of Hispanic speaking locals. The awkwardness as he strolls about the audience asking individuals complex questions in Spanish only to be responded to with broken phrases or words such as ‘Si’ or ‘Por favor’ keeps the audience engaged and on edge. This awkwardness does not go away once Juan switches into English however as he is able to effortlessly keep the audience laughing with witty commentary, and copious amounts of sexual innuendos.
Audience participation is a key aspect of Calypso Nights and individuals will be used in a variety of jokes, or acts that go on throughout the performance – even the back row is not safe from being singled out. All together, there is a lot of music, dancing, and heaps of sexual tension, but all of it is purely brilliant and light-hearted leaving audience members laughing the entire evening.
During the performance, Juan states that his biggest problem with the world, is that different tribes of people do not get along. Taking a moment to explain his thoughts on the matter, he makes various references to groups of people; not even international leaders are not safe as Duncan describes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a fat shaven penguin wearing black pyjamas. In the end, Duncan rouses the audience to join in on a dance to some calypso music, ultimately making the Brisbane ‘tribe’ join his tribe and overcome any indifference towards his music.
Altogether, Calypso Nights is truly a must-see, audience members will be walking out of the Powerhouse dancing to the intoxicating calypso music with broad smiles still on their faces. But again, one thing to remember: Beware evil penguin dictators!
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Calypso Nights
Created by: Barnie Duncan
Produced by: Peta Spurling-Brown
Presented by Brisbane Powerhouse and Theatre Beating
Centre Court, Brisbane Powerhouse
17 – 20 DEC 2015
