Imagine a world with only shades of black and white; where the concept of ‘colour’ is ridiculous and admitting it exists could get you stamped as insane. That’s the world created by local circus troupe Kinetica in their self-titled show, a cross between Pleasantville and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, if either of these films had taken place in a slightly disturbed circus.
We’re first introduced to psychiatrist Dr John McGray (Braye Dial) and his wife Betty(Antonia Sassine). She’s been diagnosed with Chronic Bored Housewife Syndrome, but still manages to do an impressive contortionist show to the tune of Amy Winehouse’s ‘You Know I’m No Good’.
As her husband goes about his day at work, he’s confronted with patients who have been having strange, colourful dreams and seeing inexplicable flashes of brightly coloured hues. This is transcribed to the audience through a range of increasingly gravity-defying aerial acts, using silks, hoops, swings and ropes.
During the course of the show, Dr McGray becomes aware of flashes of colour in the forms of his sassy secretary (Gabrielle Turner) performing with hoops, a people-eating couch and colourful confetti being thrown all over the stage. Along with the crazy aerial stunts, including a three-person trapeze act, it’s a trippy, sensory delight.
A particular highlight was the story of ‘Jack’ and ‘Rose’ – Lennon Hopkins and Melanie Bennett manage to keep their characters at the front of the performance, which can’t be easy to do when you’re swinging upside down on a rope suspended from the ceiling.
Another strong performer in the show was Matthew Pope, who makes a few impressive appearances as various characters. Moving effortlessly from the hoops to the ropes to the trapeze, he was one of the most entertaining elements of the show.
The show moves seamlessly from the dialogue to the circus performances, and provides a weird and wonderful experience. Kinetica is a family friendly show that should be one of the must-sees at Fringe this year.

The best way to describe The Tea(se) Party is that it’s the best bachelorette party you’ve never been to. Serving up sassy burlesque dancers along with more traditional high tea delights, the ladies at Sugar Blue Burlesque have created a visual and literal treat.
When we arrive at the Speigeltent, we’re ushered into a booth and offered a delectable selection of food by hostesses trussed up to look like 1950s housewifes, albeit with a few more tattoos, much lower necklines and much higher heels. Macarons and cucumber sandwiches jostled for space with scones and cupcakes, and of course, a selection of tea was on offer.
But you don’t usually go to a burlesque show expecting tea and biscuits, do you?

After the guests had satisfied their appetite, the room quietened down as the pint-sized powerhouse MC Feisty took to the stage, resplendent in a top hat, striped corset and tutu. After asking if everyone had enjoyed the “sugar and boobs”, the MC wasted no time introducing the first act, a dancer by the name of Adora Derriere who would entertain us with a ‘serpent snake dance’.
Despite a rogue nipple pastie accidentally being flung off – words I never thought I would be writing in a review – it was a slinky, seductive act with a beautifully intricate costume to match.
The second act was the fabulously named Agatha Frisky in a feathered fan dance. After titillating the crowd with an effortless-looking performance, she sashayed around the room and even took off her glove to dab at some lucky audience member’s (including this reviewer’s) brows.
Rounding up the show was the adorable Clara Cupcakes, whose hoop routine absolutely brought the house – well, tent – down. Featuring some rollicking 1920s music and some insane hooping abilities, including swinging eight at one time while managing to shimmy out of her clothes, she was as adept at making the crowd laugh as she was at putting together a tantalizing routine.
Leaving on MC Feisty’s always useful advice to “add sparkle to your life”, guests left with full bellies, sides hurting from laughing, and perhaps even an extra wiggle in their step.