Slap and Tickle | Studio Underground | Until 3rd February | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

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Slap is clown comparing a variety show, and Tickle is his hard working sidekick in a gimp mask. They’ve performed their show a thousand times but little do they know that this performance will be their last ever.

The show kicks off with Slap declaring he just doesn’t do cabaret, before launching into an hour of solid cabaret. Running behind him setting props and microphones is his faithful friend Tickle, who can deliver a high kick and a shoulder shimmy as good as any chorus boy.

The show introduces us to a variety of characters including Sirena, who fell off a ship to the bottom of the ocean, to mind reader Wayno the Braino, a Wolf Man, and the most memorable snake charmer you will ever see.

Playing many of the characters if the amazing iOTA, who blew audiences away last year with his show Average Joe. Now he’s upped the ante, teaming up with the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Russell Leonard, who plays Tickle.

Backed by an eleven piece band made of some of Western Australia’s most talented young musicians iOTA delivers a captivating performance. Orchestra leader Mace Francis has taken the show’s original songs and created a soundscape that creates a world to escape to.

iOTA’s songs are packed with clever word play and it’s refreshing to see a show made of entirely original material.

This show fits a lot into an hour, but it’s perfectly paced, and thoroughly enjoyable. The costumes, the staging, the timing are all spot on, a fabulous achievement under the guidance of Director Mel Cantwell.

iOTA, Russell Leonard, Mel Cantwell and the Western Australia Youth Jazz Orchestra are right ingredients for a wonderful fringe show.

Get tickets to see ‘Slap and Tickle’ via Fringe World.

Graeme Watson