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Review: Crème de la crème Cabaret at the Ice Cream Factory - Fringeworld

Review by Emily Smith


Crème de la crème is a variety circus show of (as they say on the poster) the best of the best. Certainly, the Headfirst Acrobats are a fan favourite of FRINGE and their shows GODZ and RAILED are always worth a rewatch, but this was the first time I’d made it to Crème de la crème and I was intrigued to find out, will this be even better?


Host Cal Harris warmed up the slightly sleepy Wednesday night crowd with Dad jokes and a bit of flirting, and introduced each act. Cal has a comfortably cheeky stage presence and his many years of hosting and performing shine in his easy banter with the audience. The Headfirst Acrobats love their self-deprecating humour which ironically takes bucketloads of confidence to pull off without being awkward. Cal has confidence in swathes, and deservedly so. His ladder tricks were brilliant and terrifying, but I warn anyone with a sensitive stomach to beware of the balloon trick. It sounds cute and yes is very impressive, but using the nostrils like that is the most unnatural thing I saw on the night.


Crème de la crème has no plot or theme like GODZ or RAILED, it sticks to the standard variety show format. In many ways I find this rotation of unconnected acts a bit stale, and the plot-driven shows have been a welcome change to keep the audience invested, but I have to admit that the performers in Crème de la crème really are the best at what they do.


Liam Dummer’s skills on the straps had us gasping and cheering, and his act of the bored, surly performer to rather slow music was funnier than it should have been. Especially as he spun in the air being held up by only his teeth, which still makes my jaw hurt to think about.


Chelsea Angell on the hula hoops is a classically fun act, spinning the hoops around her with ease. It was hard not to think back to my days as a small child learning to hula hoop, and she makes it look so easy, surely I could give it a go? I’ll skip the contortionist act though, there were many moments I thought for sure this was it, she was stuck with both legs and her head through a tiny hoop. But no, she always made it through somehow. Witchcraft, probably.


Jessica Robins on the aerial bar was one of the best performances of the skill I have seen in a long time. She hit every move with professionalism and grace, and came back for the knife-throwing duo Crimson Blade with throwing partner AJ, whom she put a lot of trust in. I know I wasn’t the only one in the crowd hiding behind my hands for those throws.


Thomas Gorham as Mr Finale Man with a ridiculous vaguely European accent was probably the highlight of the show, and the reason for the 18+ rating. His ‘back tuck with tuck back’ move is definitely one to be seen, but preferably from the front. Or not, if you are inclined to see… everything


Outside at the Ice Cream Factory is a fun venue with a good atmosphere, a lot of which is the result of the stellar performers. Crème de la crème proves once again that the Headfirst Acrobats really are the best of the best. The show runs until the 14th of February at FRINGE, and this Saturday the 1st February they open their new show, Elixir Revival in the FRINGE Pleasure Garden.

Image Supplied
Image Supplied

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