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Underbelly, Cowgate – Belly Dancer
Aug 11-15, 17-28 (22:30)

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There is something magnificent about a fully-flying Horseplay Bareback. I will try with words to encapsulate some of its fiery essence, but the only way to really understand, to acolyte oneself, is to attend this show in the Fringe’s Underbelly Cowgate dimension. It starts at half past ten at night – its literally perfect for folk wanting to kick-off a festivity of summer celebrations.

Horseplay Bareback begins as if you have just popped open a bottle of champagne – all fizz & bubbles & excitement. There is a man, there is a woman, & there is an afterlife populated by the fermenting primordial pools of their collaborative genius. The recently accoladed Kathy Maniura & Derek Mitchell have combined in what could turn out to be a cult classic combo – they’re young & they are brilliant. Of all their characters, Derek’s lady daytime TV host clunking about in high heels brimming full of flouncy floppy foppishness has the edge, & is something so wonderful that my words are unable to describe her, however brave the attempt in this sentence. I’m an epic poet myself – they even mention that in the show, along with Geoffrey Chaucer’s Wife of Bath, nice touches guys – but for once I really am lost for words.

Instead, I have been reduced to making comparisons, & I think something alongside a blend of Vic Reeves/Bob Mortimer & the Rocky Horror Show wouldn’t be far off, – but full of the joys of comedy springtime, an absolute freshness of material & the sheer enthus’d excitement in our performers of well, performing. They also dig working with each other – I could see it in their eyes, especially right at the very end when they slipped their masques & talked to us as Kathy & Derek, with the one not talking just looking at their partner-in-crime half adoringly, half respectfully, & fully immersed in the beauty they’d just been creating for us all. Honestly, absolutely banging!

Damo