The Lowry
3rd December
One Star
Gawkagogo Freakshow invites us to “step right in to a twisted underworld of eye-popping comic-strip mayhem,” Mayhem it was indeed and my eyes were certainly on stalks yet not, I suspect, for the right reasons. With this rip-roaring invitation I was expecting an entertaining, bizarre production, instead, what came to the stage was a Bo Selecta horror special, with no freakish abilities to boot.
Having previously championed the season of Nu Burlesque that this production is part of, I am keen to say that despite my disappointment in this show I believe that the other productions will fare better as they are not making promises they cannot keep. Perhaps a true freakshow was impossible to provide.
This was demonstrated by the opening act – not a bearded lady or sword-swallower, but Norma Guntz and her Tom Jones tumour. On to the stage she came, fat-suited and booted, keen to reveal her fatal ‘tumour’, which consisted of a life size puppet head of Tom Jones that crooned a medley of his finest hits. This was the high point of the evening.
Norma was followed by The Invisible Man Magician who proceeded to make the American/Yorkshire speaking female lead “disappear” behind a velveteen screen, who hurled her clothes off with no striptease charm. This was the most disappointing act, as magic and striptease are not two entertainments that cannot be provided with talent and flair.
By far the lowest point of the evening was when the Doctor of Gawkology revealed himself through his leather waders as well as his latest experiment. This consisted of fridges containing the puppet heads of Walt Disney and Adolf Hitler who sang an unrepeatable song whilst the audience was encouraged to chant ‘Mickey Mouse Club’ or ‘Sieg Heil’ complete with hand gestures.
Whether this show is meant to be so bad it’s good, or whether it’s just lazy is debatable. Admittedly the costumes (for all their lack of originality), set and cabaret-style shared tables for seating were interesting. Yet, the lack of any real talent, and thus any real entertainment, alongside the overwhelming crassness of the comedy on offer meant this production was a whole hearted flop, and, taking cue from their humour I can tell you that I was definitely relieved, at final curtain, to go-go.
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