Sydney Festival 08 - Au Revoir Parapluie
Au Revoir Parapluie, Sydney Theatre, January 8-27; ph: 02 9250 1999 or www.sydneyfestival.org.au
James Thierree has been a welcome return visitor to Sydney and its festivals over the years with a series of enchanting shows. From Le Cirque Imaginaire through to Junebug Symphony he has treated audiences to a unique combination of theatre, magic, acrobatics, illusion, music, circus and a soaring imagination.
It is perhaps significant that this latest show is titled "Au revoir" - the only glimmer of meaning in an otherwise unrelated series of whimsies. Thierree committed to this show with not an idea in his head - he says - and it shows. The creativity is confined to fleeting moments of creative delight but the whole is essentially underwhelming.
As is customary with Thierree shows, Au Revoir looks beautiful, is packed with visual delights and cute ideas; the physical skills are superb and the ideas are quirky and fun. And yet … who cares? So what? Am I bovvered?
If you rarely go to the theatre - you may be enchanted; if you have never seen a Thierree show before - you could be goggle-eyed; if you like your entertainment undemanding, instantly forgettable and incapable of provoking a thought or real emotional reaction - this is the one for you. Otherwise: it’s a flummery too far.
