Danny and David Ronaldo have developed a circus performance incorporating clowning, comedy and incredible cooking skills, which they dish up superbly in La Cucina Dell’Arte.
Over the course of an evening at a ‘pizza restaurant’ (actually a circus tent at Russell Square) which begins with lighting the chandelier and progresses to serving food to hungry customers, an arrogant chef and his rebellious assistant clash in the kitchen. No point is too petty to dispute, and from selecting ‘customers’ from the audience to arguing what size of rolling pin is allowed, the culinary battles rage unchecked.
The opening sequence – a slapstick routine performed in near darkness and featuring the assistant climbing up a stack of plates to the chandelier – would have been more impressive had there had been some ambient lighting; as it was, the piece was confusing until enough candles were lit to enable visibility.
After this slow beginning, the pace accelerated, aided by a lively running gag involving some of the female clientele, which started early and continued through to the finale, providing a supporting subplot to the main contest of culinary wills.
Highlights included the awesome manipulation of pizza dough, starting with tricks and flips sometimes witnessed in local takeaway shops, but moving on to stunts more commonly associated with basketballers than pizza makers. Allaying any suspicions that fake bases were being whirled about, most of the dough ended up in the audience, where it was eagerly passed around. As pizza orders were requested from the crowd, an eventual 14 plates were spun on rods between three separate tables, a riveting feat but not without many crockery casualties.
The greatest drawback for the packed crowd was the tent’s poor ventilation, with the show pausing for one person to be carried out unconscious and many other patrons feeling unwell in the stifling heat. Perth summers are usually hot, so the weather conditions were not a surprise and alleviating measures could have been taken in advance.
The second drawback, which was also rather charming, was that the Italian dialogue left many in the audience puzzled. Whispers in the closely packed seats would have surprised the performers at how their words were being ‘understood’. Some attendees also felt compelled to ‘translate’ the circus gibberish that punctuated the routines. The choice of Italian words was heavily skewed towards food, and the action was vivid enough to eliminate any need to follow the dialogue too closely.
The kitchen cart at the rear of the stage provided cooking equipment, ingredients and mechanised musical instruments. However they were operated, the piano accordion and various percussion instruments that played themselves were marvellous, providing a sound track that enhanced the clowning routines.
While the set and lighting design were classic circus, in a gorgeous tent, the costumes were influenced by classic Commedia tradition, yet modern. The status difference between the two characters was emphasised by the contrast between the shiny white shoes and slick ponytail of the chef and the over-sized trousers and straggly locks of his assistant.
This production’s fantastic food-themed clowning, impressive juggling and acrobatic agility bring zing and zest to this year’s Perth Festival.
Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
La Cucina Dell’Arte
Circus Ronaldo
Concept: Danny Ronaldo
Designers: David and Danny Ronaldo
Composer: David Van Keer
Technician: Jo Emmers
Performed by Danny Ronaldo and David Ronaldo
Russell Square, Northbridge
9 – 24 February
Perth Festival 2013
www.perthfestival.com.au
8 February – 2 March
