Twists and turns in this fairy tale circus
Image: Isobel Moore as Tinker Bell, TWISTED TALES. Image: Instagram
Once upon a time there were simple bedtime stories where you knew who was good and who was bad and who would live happily ever after. But then, a wicked group of performers got together and turned everything on its head.
That’s the concept behind Twisted Tales, a new circus/cabaret style show making its debut at Sydney Fringe’s Village Green Festival Garden.
The troupe of nine aerialists, dancers, burlesque artists and acrobats are led by the acid-tongued, camp and cheeky Emcee, The Mirror Mirror, alter ego of Marcus Maitland. Maitland has the right personality for the role, though he lacks the quick wit for clever repartee, but that will no doubt come with experience. He does have a break-out solo moment where he sings a convincing rendition of “I Am What I Am.”
The Mirror Mirror has an entourage of three female dancers known as The Mirrorettes: Alana Teague (featured dancer), Sarah Pearce, and Milli Higgins. As well as thrilling dance routines, The Mirrorettes provide a bit of slap-stick comedy between the main acts. They have great rapport and comic sensibility and are very entertaining to watch.
Dancer, aerialist and the show’s producer, Georgia van der Sman performs a delightful dance routine with the Mirrorettes as “Queen of Hearts”. Llater, as “Evil Queen”, she has a unique aerial hoop battle with aerialist/burlesque dancer, Lily Rose playing “Snow White”.
Rose also performs a strip tease as “Ursula”, going from shimmering black gown to very little indeed and clearly marking this as an adults only show.
Isobel Moore makes two impressive appearances, first as “Little Mermaid” performing aerial acrobatics on a suspended anchor, then as “Tinkerbell” swinging from cable attached to her hair.
Jonathan Dutra and Gabriel Gutfilen Schlesinger perform two duos (as “Hades” and “Hades’ Lover”, then “Aladdin” and “Genie”) demonstrating incredible balance and strength as well as seering beauty.
Dutra also joins The Mirrorettes in a very funny dance choreographed to Todrick Hall’s “I Like Boys”.
Twisted Tales packs a lot of laughs, gasps, and wows into one hour. It’s still a fledgling show and a little rough around the edges, but the X-factor is there and it doesn’t disappoint.
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