Dos or Duo

Having been nominated for Best Circus Show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2009, I knew the Dos or Duo show was going to be a good one. I had planned on attending the performance alone but due to a little mix-up with a babysitter, I found myself in tow with children. Since the show was not especially flagged as ‘kid friendly’ I was a bit apprehensive about the possibility of foul language being a big part of the performance… this is a comedy show after all, and it is an unofficial international rule of thumb, that comedy is bound to overflow with an abundance of off colour language. So, armed with explanations such as: “I think he called that man a tick” and “a woman is often referred to as a beach” I was off to the Gas Works, with my offspring.

Gasworks is a quaint theatre in Albert Park, with plenty of parking in front… this is always good. With a large lobby area, bar, a Tiki Lounge on one side of the building and a gallery on the other, it makes for a good environment to relax with friends before the show.

Once the doors opened, we were encouraged to sit in the middle section and to not shy away from the front row. I took the advice, but then had thoughts of going to the back as I was deathly afraid that perhaps I would be asked to participate in the show. I would rather be dipped in honey and exposed to killer bees than participate in a performance. Thankfully, this is not that kind of show.

Quirky banjo music played in the background. Two climbing ropes were strategically placed in the middle of the performing area, and a curious papier-mâché pig hung between them. As the show started, Dos or Duo appeared a bit clumsily in front of us and began to show off their leaps and tumbles. Dos has a ping pong ball in his mouth, and Duo bandages on his head. Just looking at them, one can’t help but giggle, these guys are ‘silly’; soon they convince the audience that they are amasing acrobats as well, though.

Part of the Dos or Duo schtick is to pretend they have been coached to not interact with the audience, which they do over and over and penalize one another each time they look at them; to leap for the pig as much as possible, and to debate extensively who should play the part of the pirate for one of their sets. They correct and poke fun of one another throughout their performance… conveying a sort of innocence and a bit of kookiness about the characters, that makes them very lovable.

Overall the performance was very professional, and the routines performed by the Dos or Duo team, though seemingly simple… were very impressive. These two performers show that the Bauhaus saying “less is more” is still valid, even in performing arts. I was delighted by their act and pleasantly surprised by the fact that it transcends age. I might go another ‘dos’ times to see them, that’s how much I enjoyed their show.

SECOND PART OF REVIEW BY JOVANA DAVILA:
Dos or Duo was a very interesting acrobatic and climbing show. The show was about two men; their names are Dos and Duo. Duo wears a wool cap, a ping pong ball in his mouth and has big muscles (not to mention under arm hair) and Dos has bandaging all around his head and not so many muscles.

The show is about two strange guys that know that they are in front of an audience and pretend that the audience isn't there. They entertain the audience and try to catch the pig, which hangs above them... because Dave told them to (I don't know who Dave is) the show was entertaining from beginning to end. It is very funny and entertaining, and just has one swear word in it... ‘crap’ (I know it's not a VERY bad word but hey, I'm only 10 years old).

I would recommend this show to children, because they will love Dos and Duo’s childish behaviour, to the adults, because of the jokes that only adults can understand, and the elderly, because it will get them saying "I couldn't do that when I was their age." I really hope that you will go see them, as they're only doing the show for one week.

Dos or Duo

Bookings:
• Venue Bookings 03 9699 3253
• TTY 03 9699 4367
• gasworks.org.au
• At the door