Hula Hell is Miss Saturn (Jenny McGowan) is a very offbeat and funny character with impressive hula hooping skills. Her interaction with the audience is a very direct and personal dialogue that is ongoing throughout the performance. When Miss Saturn greets us with a hello, she expects a response. She simultaneously coaches, educates, and entertains. There is a lot of activity with audience members on stage. The show builds to an eye-popping, psychedelic finale.
It was a pleasure to attend repeat performances of this double bill: Ms. Pretty Smart, Secret Agent and Perhaps, Perhaps, Quizás... I witnessed different audiences responding to the same material in different ways, revealing the ephemeral nature of the live theatrical experience--in particular, the delicate art of clowning--that relies profoundly on the audience of the moment: the ultimate clown partner.
Just to set the record straight, Ms. Pretty Smart, Secret Agent (Olivia Lehrman) really does speak fluent Chinese. The bride clown (Gabriela Munoz) of Perhaps, Perhaps, Quizás… is still looking for a groom.
I note that the work in this festival trends toward a great deal of audience interaction. This not to say it is in any way a negative aspect. In fact, it is fascinating to see how each performer handles the audience through their unique character. You’ve been forewarned: You never know when you might get recruited in a clown show, so wear clean underwear.
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