A one man Burlesque show, where three different characters interact with original music and visuals. They tell the story of the impending doom that is climate change, looking at the true nature hidden within us all, and encourage us to love and care for that which we have been entrusted.
Review
We meet an attractive young man in extremely flattering dark blue military dress, who appears visibly distressed. He reveals that the damage that we have consistently made to our planet has filled him with despair. He had hoped that society would come to its senses and cease with its relentless destruction but to no avail. Breaking into song, he performs epic tunes, with thought provoking lyrics, delivered with an incredible singing voice that displays depth of range and feeling. It is a dark and sombre beginning, his vocal delivery supported by visuals of earth’s destruction, polar caps melting, floods and people in horrific real life situations.
He rips of his staid military attire to reveal a tight fitting saucy red suit, complete with hat. This is the devil within us all that is looking for fun. This character, dismisses the conscientious bleating of the early soldier in blue, and instead encourages our hedonistic traits. He climbs over the audience, offering his body to man and woman alike. Androgynously funky, he dances around with a tantalising ability to groove and encourages the audience to sing along to seriously excellent songs that give a clear nod to Bowie and Bolan. The music is driving, urgent and cleverly crafted with backing vocals and distorted guitar riffs and the audience lose their inhibitions as he strips for them with wild abandon. He develops into the third character, dressed in pure white, that reflects on the good fortune to have planet earth and how loving and appreciating every part of it is our duty and right.
This show is an interesting concept. It’s a burlesque sandwich for people who care. The music is powerful and Spencer can really sing and showed real commitment to his global themes with a hint of sex . A difficult thing to pull off at the best of times. The show does need tightening though. The segues where he changes between characters were lumpy until he settled into the new role. He did his best to get amongst the audience, but with the straight line seating he was often thwarted from making the contact he clearly craved. Within this City Cafe venue there is no excuse for not having smaller groups of tables that he could sashay around. Technically, I would have liked him to settle with his onstage sound and for the lighting cues to be tighter as they distracted him from the job in hand.
However, I enjoyed my free hour, with Spencer Maybe. His genuinely kooky films, unusual costumes, (check out the world striptease), groovy tunes and happiness with his own physicality make this perfect for early evening cocktails.
