The cast of The Concert tunes up for a night of clowning and comedy.By Ed Merrison
CLASSIC slapstick, wild tap and disco dancing, secretive cake eating and four women that dress as men what more could you want from a night at the theatre.
All this and more is on offer at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre when multiple awardwinning, allfemale physical comedy ensemble The Business takes the stage to perform The Concert on Friday, 28 October.
The Business is an Australian company with four flawed and lovable characters played by accomplished physical performers Kate Kantor, Clare Bartholomew, Penny Baron and Glynis Angell.
The company creates highly accessible physical theatre that is largely nonverbal and draws on clown, mime, dance slapstick and tight ensemble timing, with a focus on humanity and the relationships between the characters.
The Concert is an original and extremely funny show that sees Pierre the flautist, Ray the keyboard player, Paul the saxophonist and Barry the percussionist readying themselves for their first performance with the worldfamous conductor Markus Schmetterlink and The Helsinki Symphony Orchestra.
As the cast arrives, sets up and eagerly awaits Markus, the great traditions of orchestra get turned on their head.
Competition and impatience lead to ridiculous rivalry for the best seats, wine stealing, chase scenes, dance routines, cake eating, absurd rehearsals, slapstick fighting and operatic solos. At the height of chaos, Markus and his orchestra arrive and the ‘real’ concert begins.
Directed by Merophie Carr, the Concert is a brilliant display of physical comedy using spoton characterisation to arouse the kind of audience empathy that cannot fail to make you laugh out loud while identifying with the protagonists.
The Business The Concert will be shown at Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton on Friday, 28 October. For bookings phone 5966 5160.
