The Talents of Darkness is billed as an “unforgettable experience of the unusual” and it lives up to that name. Hosted by drag queen Bebe Tricx, the show is a collection of short acts from five diverse performers.
Bebe Tricx begins by inviting an audience member on stage to break a light globe and then proceeds to eat a piece. This sets the tone of the show, part gore, part burlesque, and part shock value.
Dressed in fishnets and leather, Tammi Morten does some impressive things with fire torches that would have to be painful to the skin.
Murderclown the Sane offers some comic relief; be it playing a game of “vodka or acid” or having audience members tie him to a chair and watching him try to escape.
Justin Thyme is the impeccably suited drag king who mimes a funny sketch about the word ‘Fuck” and later performs with a blow up doll.
Blazin Baden is the second fire-eater in the troupe and is equally impressive with his ability to move fire about using parts of his body and mouth.
Bebe Tricx has a few more tricks up her sleeve between other acts that made the audience cringe, including putting a needle in the skin and a balloon up the nose.
In the intimate Tandanya Arts Café, audience involvement helps make the show and drives the energy. The performers clearly enjoyed what they were doing. If you’re looking for something a little left field with a taste of gore this could be the show for you.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Performances at the Adelaide Fringe run to 25th February. Grab tickets and more details here: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-talents-of-darkness-af2018
The reviewer attended the show on 18th Feb. Photos by the author.
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