It's not a main feature, but be warned: The BlackTop Circus cabaret contains adult themes. There are four kids at the table beside me with their fingers in their ears. Comedian Joel Salom is repeatedly popping the 'f' word, no easy task when he has a ping pong ball tucked into each cheek*. I am laughing so hard I can't move my face.
The Halloween date inspired the show title, Nightmare on Marvell St, and some of the masked performers scare my skin into goosebumps. The BlackTop Circus is an emerging performance troupe consisting of circus arts, burlesque, live music and comedy. Any show touted as containing humour elicits a wary response from me, I have low expectations and am happily surprised. For a $10 ticket at the Byron Bay Bowling Club the comedy quality is outstanding. Taka and Baka, a faux-Japanese duo, humiliate a terrified audience victim with their knife throwing antics. They gaffa tape him to a target, place a bucket between his legs, ask him if he is a father yet, and blindfold him. The poor guy is shaking his head, trembling all over. This is comedy that pushes boundaries - you know you're not supposed to laugh at people who are really very scared. But, without giving too much away, you also know the guy is perfectly safe.
The audience is enthralled by Miss Red's inspirational performance with hula hoops. The silver hoops reflect the low lighting, creating halos and glimmers around her. Somehow she manages to dance with four hoops and move them in different directions in time with the music. She makes it look easy. Another highlight is Osibron's hypnotic didgeridoo playing, which gradually fills the room in a solid soundwave.
BlackTop Circus Technician Timothy Bromwich tells me the previous performance featured Sue Hird as Suzanna Bladerunner regurgitating razor blades. I daren't imagine what outlandish deeds their next performance will contain.
*Just to clarify, yes, I am referring to his mouth.
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