Company 2 is a Brisbane based multi-diciplinary performing arts company, drawing mainly from circus, dance and live music, collaborating with skilled and inspiring artists. The Crusty Suitcase band are multi-talented musicians, who under the influence of founder and leader Ben Walsh can pull out of their kit bag God-only-knows what…. Brought together they make Scotch and Soda, “a dreamworld of a bawdy circus party”.
The Paradiso spiegeltent has been transformed into a 19th century carnival/saloon with a hint of depression era with the troupe a group of hobos donning threadbare military jackets, waxed moustaches, battered hats and cabaret corsets.
The acrobatics performed with deceptive ease and bravado; walking on champagne bottles, flinging themselves at each other, stomach clenching trapeze acts and pole climbing, not to mention the bicycle act that made our childhood’s “look-no-hands” attempts seem positively laughable.
During all that The Crusty Suitcase Band weaves in and out of the foreground with saxophones, trombones, clarinets, a double bass and a bespoke drum kit which looks like a cross between a pushchair and a homeless’ trolley. At times part of the act; at times in the background; at times acting as an interval for the troupe to change; their role always integral, their music both dominant and complementing. A crucial part of the performance’s energy.
A highly-polished show with first-rate entertainment value.
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