EXPRESS - Review

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Thu 04 Feb 2021 - Sun 07 Feb 2021

The setting couldn't have been more perfect on the opening night of the performance. It's cold and raining outside. The venue is tucked away in a secret little section of the Showgrounds. And yet, once we walk in, the vibe and mood is reminiscent of a 70's vibe, with their funky lighting, and a stage set up to replicate the look and feel of an overnight train that is about to offer a one-of-a-kind journey.

Once the passengers have found themselves a seat (in a COVID-safe manner, of course), the room goes dark momentarily, before being lit up with an electric ambience of a 1950s Orient Express style train with lights flickering at regular intervals. Emerging onto the stage is a dazzling cast of performers (dancers, singers, musicians, the works!), who took our breaths away with the first act and left us wanting more and more 'encores' by the end of a sizzling 60 minutes.

Bringing together the elements of a musical, burlesque, cabaret and live performance in all its glory, EXPRESS by One Eye Open is a show that wraps its audiences into a show and stays true to its name by delivering strongly on super-tight choreography skills, quick and seamless transitions to the next 'station' of the journey, eclectic costume changes, the sultry chemistry and camaraderie between the performers, and a highly-charged playlist of hip-hop, jazz, tap dance, and cabaret to keep you on the edge of your seats and anticipating what's to come next. By immersing the passengers in a show that is filled with mysterious delights and poignant intrigue, EXPRESS reels us into a hypersensitive world that is filled with visual spectacles, where some of the most curious of characters jump on board and blow our minds away with their fluid and symmetrical movements, their larger-than-life personalities, a subtle yet sensational plotline behind their performances, and the kind of entertainment that will make you want to keep the party alive all night long.

I can guarantee you when I say that there is not a single thing to fault with this performance. The high levels of energy, enthusiasm, and entertainment make us in the audience want to join in on the show-stopping performance. Combining the many styles of dance such as hip-hop, tap dance, ballet with a brilliant post-modern jukebox style of songs (including original covers) that have jazz, blues, street, and funk personas that set the stage on fire, the standing ovation at the end of the performance should be enough proof to warrant a second set of boarding passes to jump on this crazy yet chaotic ride.

Bonus: this is a completely SA-run project via One Eye Open, who will make you be proud to be a South Australian yourself. It pays to support local and this crew is a testament of how much talent is brimming in our state.

Overall rating: & #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;

EXPRESS is performing at the Adelaide Showgrounds for a limited run of consecutive events from February 4 - 7, 2021. While most shows are sold out, there are some with tix available - book yours here . For a 30% discount on the tix, use the code ALLABOARD.

Cast members
Singers: Scarlett Anthony, Janna Romeo, Emma Caporaso
Dancers: Kirsty-Ann Corner, Jasmine Toden, Olivia Schultz, Carter Rickard, Joshua Taylor, Steve Costi
Feature artist: Kelvin Shone
Musician: Dom Monteleone

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Tema was invited as a guest.

#musicals
#greater_adelaide
#cabaret
#burlesque
#shows
#wayville
#february
!date 04/02/2021 -- 07/02/2021
%wnadelaide