Image: http://friskyandmannish.co.uk
Frisky & Mannish have a firm fan following in Perth, 2015 seeing them performing at their fourth FringeWorld, with their fourth original show. Consistent high energy levels, sharp wits, glamorous outfits and fresh perspectives on the jaded world of pop music keep crowds coming back. While their first trilogy of shows reached out to the audience, attempting to educate and prepare the public for careers in pop stardom, #JUSTTOOMUCH sees the duo take a new direction.
Bursting onto stage with a flurry of hashtags and video footage projected behind them, the opening mash-up medley comes with trademark tight lyrics and choreography as excitement levels rise in the tent. Some didactic touches remain, with the three phases of celebrity excess numbered as:
Without giving away every twist and surreal moment, Frisky & Mannish then proceed to demonstrate how 7 years of constant touring, recording and creating together has caused them to self-destruct.
This duo never does things without wit, style and sweet vocals, as evidenced by a series of letters sung from Sinead O’Connor to various celebrities, containing useful advice tailored to Miley, Bieber, Iggy Azalea and others. While a series of songs about feminism and a snap audience quiz on Lord(e)s seem to follow a regular performance pattern, it is hard to ignore Mannish’s constant snacking and the thickening of his once slender figure underneath a tight t-shirt. Tensions between the pair are expressed in a song battle, lyrics taking on new meaning as Frisky holds her notes in “Wind Beneath My Wings” and Mannish darts hard looks at strategic points in “Just the Way You Are”.
Surprises come thick and fast in this rapidly-paced hour of entertainment, a dream ballet that becomes a nightmare featuring Robin Thicke, Mannish gleefully swinging across the stage on a space hopper “wrecking ball”, a pirate version of a recent tune, an attempt at dancing on roller skates and a nice skirt from Laura Ashley all featuring in a mad confection that makes sense at the time. While far less focused on the audience than on previous occasions, there is still plenty of interaction and opportunities for participation from the crowd.
Frisky & Mannish seem to relish the vast treasury of disposable pop tunes available to them, and squeeze in as many as possible by way of more medleys and mash ups rather than extended deconstruction and analysis. It all works, and there are smiles all around at the end, with queues afterwards of local fans all wanting to assure the British visitors that #JUSTTOOMUCH is actually #JUSTPERFECT.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Frisky & Mannish – #JUSTTOOMUCH
FringeWorld 2015
Presented by Sharon Burgess Productions By Arrangement with United Agents
Circus Theatre, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
23 January – 1 February 2015
