Review by William Chan
The percussion acrobatic theatre CRASSH_Duo Circus WETUMTUM from Portugal has been one of the featured performances at the first Macao International Children’s Arts Festival.
The shows took place at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) Black Box I, with a total of nine performances held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
During the show, two performers took the audience on an engaging journey through the percussion-themed CRASSH universe. They utilised ordinary objects from our daily lives to create music. The performance incorporated elements of comedy, visual spectacle and circus disciplines to produce a live musical performance. The aim of the show was to entertain the audience, especially children, using an apparently chaotic setting executed with precision.
As an adult, my sense of childlike humour may have waned, but the children in the audience appeared to be thoroughly delighted, constantly laughing throughout the entire show. The music was simple yet well executed, and the show did not require the complexities of a classical concert. It was evident that the performers placed emphasis on choreographing and balancing the humorous and artistic elements of the show, ensuring that their techniques could be appreciated while grabbing the constant attention of young listeners—an achievement not often seen in concerts.
Although the show may not have boasted the most innovative music or acrobatics, it was undeniably challenging to seamlessly combine multiple elements. The standout moment came when one of the performers juggled balls in the air while simultaneously bouncing them off a box to create a rhythmic beat while also acting humorously, which was truly astonishing.
The humour in the show was also simple yet effective, relying on facial expressions and silly actions reminiscent of Mr Bean, a universally understood form of humour.
However, the final segment of the performance felt somewhat disconnected from the audience. The performers attempted to transform the black box into a disco, inviting the audience to dance. Unfortunately, it seemed that not everyone was familiar with what a disco is like, resulting in a lacklustre ending to the show. I suspect that most of the kids were unfamiliar with a disco ball, and personally, I have never been to a disco myself.
Overall, the 50-minute performance was tightly executed, captivating, and surprisingly enjoyable even for adult audiences. It catered to both children and adults, making it a remarkable show within the realm of children’s entertainment.
These photos taken last week show the percussion acrobatic theatre CRASSH_Duo Circus WETUMTUM from Portugal. – Photos provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC)
