If you’re after something silly this summer then the Vaudeville theatre’s very own vaudeville show, The Flying Karamazov Brothers, might be right up your street. Just make sure to check your maturity with your coat at the door.
As the press released warned, these four clowns are not brothers at all – quite apparent from the genetic gene pool on stage which varies from blond and lanky to stocky and bearded – they certainly don’t fly and anyone expecting Dostoevsky is probably going to be disappointed.
They do, however, juggle everything from glow in the dark clubs to bacon, play all manner of instruments and perform a series of skits that see them lose their trademark kilts for tutus and religious robes.
Surreal, kooky and often downright bizarre, the show takes various twists and turns to lead the audience into the world of the American foursome. In one scene, Dimitri Karamazov (played by the group’s director Paul Magid) comes on stage as a cigar smoking devil to tempt young London School of Economic student Alexi Karamazov (Mark Ettinger). A puff of a cigar later and the production takes a trippy turn with drum playing angels, a juggling trick and a trumpet solo for the devil while the others sing the blues.
There are references to popular culture a-plenty with a send up of Black Swan, a smattering of political jokes and a healthy mickey taking of Britain’s stiff upper lip. There’s also enough audience interaction to keep children happy and adults suitably worried.
There is no rhyme or reason to The Flying Karamazov Brothers but if you’re after that maybe you should be next door watching Love Never Dies. However, if you’re after bad puns, self-deprecating humour and a bit of dangerous juggling, you can’t go far wrong with the quirky brothers’ equally quirky show.
CM