*Spoiler Alert: only watch the video in the links if you don’t want to maintain your child-like sense of wonderment when you see this show live. Or if you aren’t going to see the show (then it just doesn’t matter, does it!)
What is Udderbelly? Something that happens inside a giant purple inflatable cow is the first answer that comes to mind…! For those of you who are not well acquainted with the annual Udderbelly festival that takes place in London, it is really something else. A place for all kinds of unusual but excellent acts to come and wow you. The organisers themselves are well-seasoned, hosting events across the UK including the Edinburgh Fringe, another of my favourites.
I can’t now remember where I heard about A Simple Space. But anyhow, it is a show by ‘Gravity and Other Myths’ – a new award winning troupe of acrobats, from Australia. So I emailed my Londoner friends to see who was interested in checking it out for £15 a pop (by the way Time Out is now selling them for £10 until Saturday 14th June, if you are fast enough). I booked it so long ago, by the time we got round to going in the opening week, it turned out to be a nice surprise!
I don’t want to give too much away about the show, as it is a really wonderful experience. I read a bit about it initially and then followed my instinct that this had potential to be a real TrEat and went ahead and booked. When my husband kept pestering me on the day to tell him more about what we were going to see that evening, I gave up and sent him a link. He chose to watch a video and I think he wished he hadn’t, although he still agrees that it was a pretty amazing show.
We met our friends Ms Motivator and ThePubLandlord at Ping Pong, Southbank Centre. One of my favourite places for a quick catch up, with its great set menus (Super 8 for £8 at lunch or the set menu at £12.50 after 5pm) which are ridiculous value in terms of the amount of food, especially if you love Dim Sum (steaming little parcels of deliciousness!). We ate fast and felt like stuffed pigs. Alcohol here is expensive though and the boys didn’t like paying silly money for the imported beers. I had my favourite jasmine tea garden – pretty, healthy and yummy. It was a quick bite but one gripe we all had was with our table, which the venue should just admit, should not be a table. It is on a weird corner by the conservatory door to the outdoor space and it is cold, uncomfortable and loud. Rant over – ask to be moved if you are offered this table, unless like us where you are in a hurry and then just get it over with!
Making our way into the belly of the giant cow, we weren’t sure what to expect, except that it was a full house. Amazingly we got seats really close to the stage and settled in for some entertainment. The emotions were intense and varied. I was amazed, bedazzled, anxious, nervous, amused… and the list goes on. These guys (and girls) put together a fantastic show, which really is all about them. A bare stage with some lighting and a couple of props… the rest is all them and their amazing bodies (ladies you will get your money’s worth very early on in the show!!). Not only is it a show that captures your attention completely and enthrals the senses (as you wonder how they will ever manage to not topple over), it is very modern and fresh in its approach. It is youthful and fun as the group engages with the audience throughout, not just by inviting a few unsuspecting audience members up on stage (‘Daddies’ in suits, teenagers, no one is safe)!
I challenge you to go and see this show and not love every moment, and walk out breathless, wanting more.
Remember: Discount tickets for £10 per person if you buy them by Saturday June 14th: https://uk-offers.timeout.com/deals/entertainment-a-aimple-space-june?cid=TOL|DD|EM|_CTA||2014-06-10T00:26:10