What: Retro Futurismus
Where: Fortyfivedownstairs
When: June 11 - 28
Created by: Gabi Barton, Anni Davey, Maude Davey, and
Anna Lum
Performed by: Stella Angelica, Gabi Barton, Anni Davey,
Maude Davey, Anna Lum and Leah Shelton.
Retro
Futurismus is the latest original offering by Anni and Maude Davey and is
currently being performed at fortyfivedownstairs. To categorise this show is impossible except
to say that it is true variety. The show
includes circus, burlesque, cabaret, puppetry, etc… and it is as fun and funny
as all hell!
The
term Retro Futurism refers to the idea of the future which prevailed in the
past and which we, today, retrospectively consider. The original goal of Retro Futurism was to
find in the past the ideas for the future – or ‘progress by looking back’.
The
show avoids too much overt political commentary, but the Davey sisters start
the show (after the brief re-introduction to bad synth beats) with a hilarious
poetry ‘rap’ number which directly references Tony Abbott as a proponent of the
movement. As will all ideologies, there
is the good, the bad and the ugly… What
makes this even more powerful is their don Johnson suits, new romantics quiffs,
and full whiteface makeup.
Another
way of looking at Retro Futurism is to consider ‘the tomorrow that never
was’ - think The Jetsons and Star
Trek. This show goes deeper than those
iconic shows though. Lum’s lazer lit hoola hoops in her Buck Rogers/Barbarella
silver body suit and constant reappearances as robots of the ages (including
the obligatory air conditioning duct which also references the slinky) are a
wonderful reference to our hilarious vision of technological advancements.
Barton
has fun with fashion and art as she plays with style over comfort, some
Flashdance references, and a real life interpretation of the surrealist art
movement. Angelica gives us a beautiful torch song and then a floor stomping,
roof lifting Tina Turner.
Anni
Davey brings the circus with a stunning recreation of the moon landing which
morphs into some hilarious Kubrik references, and Shelton does an amazing
homage to Laura Palmer. Maude Davey
creates a stunning Hitchcock montage which is beautiful timing given the MTC’s
offering at the moment.
This
is only the tip of the iceberg. There
are four stages – and the rest of the room which is set up with tables and
chairs, cabaret style. Retro Futurismus
includes so much to see and so much fun to be had, and it is not restricted to
the stage. Shelton’s chinese pole act is
mindblowing.
The
show is built on historical references – most of which are confined to the last
century. It is funny, but it doesn’t
really poke fun, or demean any of those ideas that we travelled through to get
where we are today. In many ways, most
of this performance honours and celebrates them, but it also shows that they
are in the past for a reason, and that we must move on. Looking back is good for nostalgia, but not
for decision making.
I
don’t think you need to understand all the references to enjoy this show. It is a bit silly, and very funny even just
on the surface.
The
costumes are absolutely amazing, and the lighting is superb. Of course, if you do get the references you
are just going to have a whole other level of fun! It’s a bit like having your own little secret
joke with the creators if you lived through this stuff as it was happening.
4
Stars
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