Review: Kids Comedy Gala
CIRCUS Review: Melanie Coram
Kids Comedy Gala
3.5 stars
Big Top, The Pleasure Garden
I've been let down last year by the Fringe World catalogue telling me shows were G-rated when they were not.
Both times my kids and I were among a boutique (tiny) audience and the comedians on stage conspicuously skipped sections of the show too blue for small ears. Spot the hazard, assess the risk, make the change.
Truly I wouldn't have minded because you take your chances during Fringe World. And young kids would likely not have understood much anyway.
Still, it's refreshing to have clearly defined boundaries where children feel safe and parents can rest easy amid enough fart and anatomy jokes to make little ones feel like they're getting away with something.
This Lunar Circus tasting plate will offer few surprises for adults but its clowning, acrobatics and juggling are pitched at children.
For them, wide-eyed Olivia and her stylish juggling are bewitching, Fatt Matt the clown is a buffoon and Mr Possum, who balances himself high on a tower of trestles is an inspiration - 'By the way, where is dad's saw horse?'
As acrobat Bronte Webster dangles then twirls and spins on the trapeze, small faces stare upwards amazed but during the group juggling they want to look everywhere at once.
In a bonus for parents, there is not one bar of One Direction or Katy Perry to be heard. Just because this is a show for kids, it doesn't mean it must be devoid of style and sophistication.
The WA Lunar Circus stable has a lot happening at this festival, including Late Night Lounge Cabaret, The Lunar Circus Show and MC Fatt Matt appearing in his own show, Impossible. For $15 the Kids Comedy Gala is an opportunity to see what else might tempt you out.
Kids Comedy Gala run until February 16.
