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Existentialism gets a slapstick overhaul in Xhloe and Natasha’s Fringe First winning absurdist comedy.Summary
Rating
Excellent
An enthusiastic rodeo clown (Chloe Rice) exudes appreciation for their job. The rodeo is “the best thing in the World” and promises prestigious career opportunities all the way up to becoming a cowboy. Is that the case, though? The clown’s shadow (Natasha Roland) doesn’t seem to agree and doesn’t miss an opportunity to burst the bubble with inappropriate remarks. From taking idioms too literally to becoming too amorous – “we do not make love to the livestock” they get warned – they become a liability for the unwilling jester, whose professional dedication begins to falter.
Mixing slapstick, inconsequential dialogues and perfectly choreographed movement, the New York-based creative duo finds new absurdist ways to raise timely existentialist dilemmas. What if reality wasn’t just as good as we see it? What if there was so much more to be gained from sticking the head above the parapet?
Winner of the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe First award in 2022, this sizzling work updates the genre for the 21st century, pointing at money (and the lack of) as the source of most people’s concerns and limitations. Timeless classic rock and country bangers like Elvis Presley’s “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise”, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” or Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” are used to keep up the tempo and have the audience joining in.
A metatheatrical twist in the second half is the ultimate practical demonstration that what we’ve been presented with isn’t necessarily what we assumed so far. As the whole format spins on its feet, we are hit by an alternative reading of the events we have just witnessed. Although we can tell exactly what’s happening, the effect is alienating. For this and other reasons, this unconventional absurdist gem is a true masterpiece. Enormously endearing but also terrifying for the sheer realisation that there’s more bullshit around than what the rodeo shovelers can clear out.
Written by: Chloe Rice and Natasha Roland
Produced by: Chloe Rice and Natasha Roland in association with TheSpaceUK
And Then The Rodeo Burned Down played as part of EdFringe 2023.
