La Putyka (****)
A circus deep in a beer-induced sleep greets the audience as they take their seats; echoes of stories past and those to come hang in the air. A distraught drunk barman, our ringmaster, brings his clientele of clowns and musicians into action fuelled by beer. The talent that resides in these characters is outstanding, jaw-dropping at times; the acts are woven together in the loose narrative, which gives this show a good shape with dark moments balanced by humour and some gorgeous theatrical moments including a brilliant sequence inspired by bubbles. There are a few moments and ideas that need tweaked and maybe re-thought, but overall this production is a gorgeous piece of circus theatre. P.S. there’s free beer too!!
La Putyka, 20:35, Zoo Southside, 8th-27th (not 10th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd)
Fabulous Divas of Hollywood (***)
Alan Palmer’s celebration of the Hollywood divas past and present has moments of brilliance, particularly in the clever paradoxical songs. Addressing the audience in between songs with stories of his life and fascination with these celebrities, linking one into the other with anecdotes similar to how Liza would do it. Palmer has a very good idea however his enthusiastic performance is hindered by technology and busy costume changes. This show might be stronger if he kept it simple: a grand piano, dressed in a dinner suit. Dump the costumes and wigs and use only his superb impressions to portray the divas. His Streisand is fantastic.
Fabulous Divas of Hollywood, 22:50, The Spaces@ Surgeon’s Hall, 8th-13th
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