FRINGE '04 REVIEW: Punga Legs - Kohu
Punga Legs
Kohu
Reviewed by Jyoti
Star Rating: 4 **** = Impressive
Kohu is a surprising journey into the mythical realms of sky dwelling creatures and ritual unknown. A tale of love betrayed and denied, of passion, longing and death provides the canvass upon which performers, Pipi, Alice Capper-Starr and Pieta Clear get to flaunt their incredible strength, grace and finesse in the art of aerialism.
The lighting and live-mixed music does everything to enhance the mystical feeling of the show right from the opening moment when three utterly immobile pods suspended from the ceiling start to tremble and birth three white clad and wild looking creatures. Their liquid descent down long drapes of silky fabric is reminiscent of rain drops travelling down a long pane of glass. Beautiful and intriguing!
Rhys Latton's dance of the tormented modern man is convincing -the incessant ringing of his cell phone and jilted movements as he adjusted his suit instils the discomfort of air-conditioned, high-stress life whilst providing a stark contrast to the ancient feeling fluidity of the female sky-dwellers.
Interest in the melodrama of disapproved of love wanes before the sheer skill of the circus tricks do and the audience is duly rewarded with genuine beauty when love is finally consummated in a 'pod' that is red-lit and open on either side. The lovers are seen facing each other in utter rapture as their delicate enclosure gently turns in mid-air. 'Punga Legs' is an interesting amalgamation of surreal circus games, dance and theatre that will appeal to people who enjoy being impressed by what the human body is capable of.
ENDS