one4review | On 14, Aug 2023

Brainfools’ Fringe debut seeks to transport its audience to a surreal avian universe, but unfortunately, it frequently misses its mark. A sizable portion of the performance occurs on the floor, and the lack of a raised stage not only detracts from the viewing experience but also leaves those beyond the first few rows struggling to comprehend the action. This oversight, neglecting audience sightlines, becomes a significant damper on the show.

The narrative presents a rather garbled storyline, with our protagonist navigating a series of unfortunate events from office life to moments of broken box despair. While the intent might have been to weave a cohesive tale, the storyline is often perplexing and fails to communicate a clear message. It meanders without clear direction, culminating in a finale that leaves us wondering if there was a message or moral here at all.

Commencing with an energetic bout of air football, there’s a glimmer of hope for the production. However, as the narrative unfolds against a backdrop of metal poles and cardboard cities, the initial spark wanes.

The lead performer stands out with her exuberance, her animated features working tirelessly to engage, but she’s constantly battling the performance’s inherent visibility issues. While there are moments of acrobatic brilliance, particularly in the aerial work with the lyra, a number of the acts are hampered by their lack of polish, there was some solid juggling at points but that too struggled with too many eggs being dropped for us feel we were watching a show well rehearsed and something more work in progress, which this show really is. .

The musical accompaniment tries to uplift but fades into the background, lost amidst a sea of chirps and tunes. Moments that should have been touching, like freeing a bird from rubbish become mere footnotes in a performance that struggles to find its footing.

The most telling sign of the show’s struggles was the number of empty seats that grew as the performance progressed. The early exit of several audience members speaks volumes. And to add to these woes, the show underran by a noticeable margin.

Brainfools’ debut had moments of promise but was plagued by a disjointed narrative and significant production oversights. The lack of a raised stage left much of the audience in the dark, figuratively and literally. There are takeaways here though around the importance of clarity and visibility in theatre.

**

Reviewed by Matthew

Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows – The Beauty
13.05 (1hr)
Until 26 Aug (not 21)