80s Mix Tape is the stuff your electric dreams are made of; unparalleled entertainment no matter your era and a true homage to the decade of crimped hair, leg warmers and double-denim.
There is palpable excitement as the audience patiently wait for the show to blast off in the Big Top, and before long we are truly time-machined back, (without the need for a DeLorean) as the boombox onstage blasts out Under Pressure and we are greeted with our high-energy entertainers, all part of the skilled troupe from the Kaleido Company, accompanied by all the expected accessories including tutus, fluro and enough guyliner for all.
Our MC for the evening, British comedian Andrew Silverwood, does a bodacious job of readying our audience for a memorable night where full participation is creatively curated both in originality as well as in reference to iconic 80s moments and rockstars.
Our first performer is a guy who used to be the envy of your school playground with diablo skillz some of the sharpest I’ve ever seen in a circus context; a choice opening act matched perfectly to Annie Lennox’s legendary lyrics.
The second act slows it down in tempo but seriously heats it up in terms of circus spectacle. This is what we’ve all been waiting for; two graceful, beautiful performers who remind me why we keep coming back to see circus shows at Fringe.
The combination of sheer strength and captivating beauty in the dance line and combination of the two dancers showcasing their skill set, made my spine tingle. It was a privilege to be an audience member to a spectacle of this standard.
From here, there is more variety to shake a transformer at; true Fringey fun, there’s 1980s pop culture references galore with classic circus balancing acts, a Dirty Dancing-meets-Flashdance-meets-circus duo, some magic thrown in for good measure (with a shocking sequinned surprise), but again, my hat was truly tipped to the women in 80s Mix Tape.
Just when you thought we couldn’t match the standard shown to the soundtrack of Fast Car, there are ariels, hoops, acrobatics, silks and more tulle than is found in Madonna’s 80s wardrobe. 80s Mix Tape will dazzle and delight and you’ll be insatiably hungry like a wolf for more.