MATADOR – sabor de amor at Adelaide Fringe 2022 – Review
★★★★★ 5 stars for a sassy, saucy showstopper (adults only)
An enthralling tale of love, temptation and betrayal that comes alive through passionate dance, hypnotic aerial acts and sultry burlesque
by Carla Caruso & Sharon Harrington
For those who’ve had itchy feet, care of recent travel restrictions, get yourself to MATADOR – sabor de amor.
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported direct to Spain, with a rose between your teeth. The physical theatre show, fusing dance, circus and burlesque, celebrated its 100th performance at the Fringe on 6 March 2022. And what a show!
It’s like entering a hedonist’s paradise, where everyone’s fit and fabulous – and can bend themselves in myriad ways to boot.
After a sold-out, award-winning debut at last year’s Fringe, the show by Bass Fam Creative has returned with new acts, costumes and original music, plus a few surprises. Olé!
Carla’s two cents:
This show is worth booking in the babysitter for, and missing MAFS. It’s a great date night for parents; it sizzles!
With George Michael’s I Want Your Sex ringing from the speakers, it’s clear this is not a show for the prudish. Expect to see everything from men strutting around in corsets and PVC high-heeled boots to women in marabou feather robes and suspenders.
All kinds of love are celebrated onstage too, from straight to gay and beyond, which is great to see in the wake of Sydney’s Mardi Gras.
I was dancing in my chair in between gasping at the physical feats, from aerial contortion to hoop acrobatics. The visual feast is aided by bangers from the likes of Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Kylie, and Jennifer Lopez. It’s like watching an extended film clip.
My favourite bit? When red rose petals rained down onto the audience.
Sign me up to a dance class.
Sharon’s two cents:
Taking a seat at the Spiegeltent for Matador was like stepping into a Spanish-themed Studio 54 for a night of people-watching. Except the ‘people’ in this case are amazingly gorgeous, seductively dressed, and express their relationship dramas through impeccably choreographed dance. It was spectacular.
The show follows the story of the sensuous, horned Matador meeting his impossibly beautiful ladylove. They meet, they flirt, they fall in love, but, alas, he is tempted by a red-haired vixen and all is lost… or is it? In between their love story are other characters’ tales of lust, fiery breakups and aching heartbreak.
Each dance/aerial routine is perfectly matched to a soundtrack of remixed popular songs with lyrics matching the lovers’ journeys. Think of the vibrant joyousness of I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the seductive Confide in Me, and the heartbreakingly melancholy Wicked Game.
The aerial sets were breathtaking. Acrobats clad in shimmering lingerie twirled and spun effortlessly on silks and hoops to hauntingly beautiful music. It was stunning to watch.
This show has been on our ‘must-see’ list since last year’s rave reviews and it didn’t disappoint. Catch it at the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent in Gluttony until Sunday 20 March 2022.
Dates & Times:
- Wednesday 9 March – Saturday 12 March 2022: 8:50pm
- Sunday 13 March 2022: 4pm, 8:50pm
- Monday 14 March 2022: 4pm
- Wednesday 16 March 2022 – Saturday 19 March 2022: 8:50pm
- Sunday 20 March 2022: 4pm, 8:50pm
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Adelaide Fringe website.
What: MATADOR – sabor de amorat Adelaide Fringe 2022 Review
When: Showing until 20 March 2022
Where: Gluttony | Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka, Adelaide
Who: Adults Only (rated R18+, so leave the kids at home!)
Image Source: Adelaide Fringe media
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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