Sometimes someone follows you on a social media platform, and it is a perfect match. That happened when Combat Cabaret popped up on my Instagram. They followed me, I followed them, words were exchanged and I ended up in Smock Alley Theatre, on the last Friday of February, watching two men sword fight, wrestle, dance, and, well, open their hearts...
So there I was, sitting in the theatre, not really sure what to expect, when the sword fighting started. Was it rehearsed? Obviously. Was it skillful? Certainly. Was it dangerous? Most definitely. Was it exciting? Hell yeah! The movement was so fast, the blows so hard, you could, at times, think your were watching Maximus Decimus Meridius in the Colosseum!
The sword fighting gave way to wrestling... I say wrestling, but it was, at times, ballet like, with beautiful, graceful, movements. You'd almost forget that just 5 minutes previously, two maniacs with swords were trying to take each others heads off!
The dancing merged into a heartfelt soliloquy, at times fun, at times sad, but always hopeful. Every so often, a quip or a jibe would come from the shadows and the audience would explode into laughter. At times, I got so engrossed in the show that I almost forgot I was there to take photos!
It was a wonderful night and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation they received. If you can, I'd recommend catching the show, if another run happens.
