For those about to rock, we salute you. Local circus superstars Kinetica have done it again, debuting their brand-new show, “Hall of Fame”, seemingly all but fully formed and perfect to this year’s FRINGE WORLD stage.
Return to a time when Guns and Roses and Alice Cooper were the kings of radio, where big hair met big metal, where the fashion choices were black leather, red plaid, or neon cheetah print, and where Tipper Gore took on the satanic panic and lost.
Oh, and all this classic rock used to score an actual circus.
One act is a combination of rock and roll dance and acrobatics, the high point, literally, she performs the splits mid-air, he holds her up with one hand, all charm, swagger, and a cheeky grin to the audience. The chemistry on stage is electric, and the fun and joy of it all is infectious.
Another piece, Alanis Morrisette’s “Uninvited”, is an absolute work of art. The performer, in a gold outfit, works with red silks as she spins slowly in pace to the music, as white light hits two disco balls behind. It is a stunning display.
This year, KInetica have collaborated with live guitarist Luke Stamenkovich, and the grinding riffs and extended solos he brings are a definite highlight. Watching his interplay with the surrounding performers is also a delight, whether as back-of-stage accompaniment, or front-and-centre focus. At one point, Luke even gains a roadie, as one of the troupe swaps his electric guitar for an acoustic.
Too many performance highlights to mention without spoiling. Too many fabulous music choices to list. Whoever curated the playlist for this show did so with utmost care and it flows wonderfully from hard-edged to softer. All the artists commit fully to their own song selections, and the love they have for the music is written all over their faces, all over their bodies.
The night ends with AC/DC “Highway to Hell” because of course it would. This is Perth, after all.
The circus in “Hall of Fame” is artistic and jaw-dropping, the music selection wide and varied, and the shared joy between the performers and audience is both authentic and unrehearsed. It’s a kind of magic, indeed.