Spiegelworld’s Absinthe is a show that’s not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. It’s a high-energy, sex-fuelled follow-up to the smash hit Empire that bombarded Australia in 2013–2014. An ode to the absinthe-soaked night spots of 19th-century Europe, the show is a perfect blend of circus, cabaret, vaudeville and burlesque.
Melbourne has a few Spiegeltents to choose from, including the seasonal Famous Spiegeltent at the Arts Centre and the Melba Spiegeltent in ​Collingwood, but the pop-up venue on Crown’s rooftop is a cut above. ​It offers the same other-worldly feel, but the attention to detail in the decor, the circular stage and stunning view of the Yarra from outside are bound to make patrons feel just that little bit fancier.
The ‘filthy rich or just plain filthy’ Gazillionaire is just the type of sleazy, obnoxious host you would expect of this type of show. He is assisted by the chirpy and foul-mouthed Penny Pibbets, whose sock-puppet fellatio was something that won’t be forgotten for some time. While the pair were entertaining enough, about halfway through it became clear they were just being rude or distasteful for the sake of it, though most of it was genuinely funny.
Absinthe is a polished, top-quality show that takes great pains to distance itself from the likes of Cirque Du Soleil. As a reviewer for the Maitland Mercury put it, ‘Spiegelworld is not so much Cirque du Soleil’s evil twin, it’s more a distant relative who’s served prison time and is off the Christmas card list’. Not one act disappointed in terms of skill and presentation, but it’s the show’s composition and lack of cohesiveness that lets it down, if anything.
After a bunch of sexually and racially explicit jokes fired by Penny and the Gazillionaire, a duo straps duet by Jacob Oberman and Maika Isogawa set to the tune of a love ballad was jarring. While the act was brilliantly executed, the romance depicted between the two didn’t feel genuine given the crassness that preceded and followed.
The vast majority of the acts are fantastic, with the best saved until last. You’re guaranteed to get top-notch performers from a company as esteemed as Spiegelworld, who goes to great lengths to hand-pick them from around the world.
Perhaps it’s paying homage to the era in which it draws its inspiration, but the gender roles played out are a tad too traditional and appear quite dated. The males do much of the heavy, physical acrobatic acts and petite females are allocated a lot of graceful or raunchier acts. Despite this, the show seems liberated in every other way. While circus is generally known for its scantily-clad performers, Absinthe takes this to the next level, with several flashes of nudity and many dressed in nipple tassles and g-strings.
Audience participation involved labelling people in the front rows by their race, sexuality or presumed political stance, and presumably doesn’t offend (too much). A young woman is given a lap dance by two middle-aged men—all in the name of free drinks, of course.
Standout acts of the evening were Polish hand-balancing act Duo Creative (Michal Tomasz Nowosadko and Zbigniew Sobierajsk) who exhibited intense strength, teamwork and stamina; the mind-blowing banquine by the Ukranian Lost Souls (Andrii Kalashynk, Bogdan Kalashynk, Dmytro Bilogubets, Oleksandr Orlov); and a high wire act by the American Frat Pack (Paul Lopez, Raul Resell and Oleksiy Snarskyy), which had audiences holding their breath right until the show’s end.
While Absinthe is incredibly funny, visually thrilling and showcases some of the best circus talent from around the world, it does somewhat lack in substance. Given the type of show it is, this doesn’t really matter. If you’re after a boozy night out filled with saucy circus, burlesque and cabaret, you’re going to to have a blast.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Absinthe by Spiegelworld
Chief Creative Officer: Wayne Harrison
Director: Daniel Kells
Creative Producer: Matt Hodges
Performers: Karla Tonkich, Oleksandr ‘Sacha’ Volohdim, Andrii Kalashynk, Bogdan Kalashynk, Dmytro Bilogubets, Oleksandr Orlov, Jacob Oberman, Maika Isogawa, Angie Sylvia, Aliaksandr Yurkaveats, Andrew Sizoneko, Laura von Bongard, Luka Clayborn, Michal Nowosadko, Zbignew Sobierajski, Paul Lopez, Raul Resell and Oleksiy Snarskyy.
Rooftop at Crown Melbourne
absintheaustralia.com
21 March – 26 April
