It’s a sell-out audience in the huge space at Assembly Rooms. The stage is set as an old-time American speakeasy and the majority of the cast potter around, dusting and cleaning glasses. There’s some silent character work that is somewhat lost on the large stage. It’s an unfortunately flat opening to the show as, once the music kicks in and the acrobatics begin, the audience go wild and they don’t get a chance to settle down again until the performers have taken their bows and left the stage. The cast of this performance keeps the energy up in way that amazes this unfit reviewer.
An excellent mix of acrobatics and comedy
Black Blues Brothers is a chance to see an amazing show with a stonking soundtrack. Scored to the music of Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi’s legendary Blues Brothers, this show is an excellent mix of acrobatics and comedy clowning from five supremely talented tumblers from Kenya. After the initial acrobatics, we are treated to some effortless acrobalance where the cast seem to defy gravity in their ability to flip, leap and throw each other around the stage. They also have a cheeky charm - they take full advantage of an opportunity to strip out of their Blues Brothers costumes and revel in all the whoops and wolf whistles from the audience, challenging each other to play up the tease. Like most of the routines, it’s played for laughs and gives a great opportunity for more character comedy.
An impressive jump rope act and table routine leads into some audience interaction that give some children and one adult the chance to show off some limbo skills that draws huge applause. The folk sitting around me gasp and squeal at a chair balancing routine that seems like an impossibility. The finale is a wonderfully frantic tumbling and acrobalance routine that has the audience on their feet for a well-deserved ovation.
