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Arturo Brachetti: SOLO

 
Lisa Simonis Review by Lisa Simonis 4 Published: 11 Aug 2024 Pleasance at EICC Show Dates: 31 Jul 2024-25 Aug 2024

Get ready to fall down the rabbit hole with Italian quick-change legend Arturo Brachetti. The show is both an iconic trip down memory lane and a reminder to stay young at heart. At its core, SOLO addresses the doubts and pressures of growing up, serving as a powerful encouragement to never stop being creative.

A whirlwind of topsy-turvy, genius whimsy

Brachetti steps onto the stage and reveals a dollhouse, a replica of his childhood home. He takes us through each room, sharing stories about his life, his favourite things, and anecdotes about his family. Along the way, he encounters his shadow, which casts doubt on his imagination and creativity, urging him to abandon his artistic pursuits. The narrative is interspersed with his dazzling quick-change acts, each themed around different elements: TV characters, fairytale figures, an Italian wedding, the four seasons, sand painting, and finally, musical legends.

These characters—musical legends, superheroes, fictional characters, and icons—will be familiar to many. The performance is a celebration of these beloved figures, each of whom has likely touched our lives at some point, making it a deeply nostalgic experience.

Brachetti will change costumes before you can blink. Prepare for dazzling, glittering, and head-scratching magic as he transforms the stage into a sparkling display of virtuosity, delivering a whirlwind of topsy-turvy, genius whimsy.

A feast for the eyes, the show is vibrant and colourful, playing with projections, lasers, and smoke. The high-energy performance ensures everything runs seamlessly, with curtains rising and falling, and props being moved in and out of the wings with precision. The stage design is magnificent, adding to the overall visual splendour of the performance. The aesthetic is distinct and unique, featuring bright, richly saturated colours and geometric shapes. Everything is perfectly polished, with not a hair out of place.

The show is highly enjoyable and captivating. However, I couldn’t help but wonder if it might resonate more with a younger audience. For older viewers, the moral might come across as a bit heavy-handed or sentimental. Nonetheless, it’s both empowering and moving to hear a truth that is often forgotten. One thing's for certain: you'll need to see it to believe it.

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The Blurb:

Take a magical journey inside the mind of Italian quick-change legend Arturo Brachetti (Olivier-nominated), in the UK premiere of smash-hit show SOLO. This jam-packed show sees the Guinness World Record-breaking quick-change artist bring 50+ characters to life – from Madonna to Batman to Sherlock Holmes. Expect the unexpected as astonishing illusions and mind-boggling transformations meet shadow puppetry and sand painting, against a kaleidoscope of lights and lasers. ‘Deeply felt as well as deeply skilful.’ **** (Evening Standard). ‘In his native Italy, Arturo Brachetti is a superstar’ **** (Times). ‘So speedy you gawp in wonder.’ **** (Daily Mail).