Review – The Umbilical Brothers: KiDShoW (Not Suitable for Children)
David and Shane ‘the Umbi Brothers’, are arguably one of the best mime acts in the world. If you’ve never witnessed their humour before, I suggest you give them a look. KiDSHoW (not suitable for children) is their 7th show. Three of which have been turned into DVD’s.
The Playhouse Theatre located within Melbourne’s Art Centre is the perfect location for their performance. It felt nice and personal with them being 10 metres away from where I was sitting and provided an open space for the audience’s imagination to follow the mime. The way they engage the audience is definitely a reason to see them, encouraging people to imagine what is happening in every moment of the performance.
The show’s plot is absolutely hilarious, with the audience never knowing what sounds and mimes are coming next. Focusing on the elements that are found inside a kids show: singing, dancing, storytelling, and cartoon characters, David and Shane play on your childhood emotions and smash them apart little bits at a time. By bringing characters back from previous shows, the ‘Brothers’ made sure the show felt familiar to long time fans.
One of David and Shane’s strengths is improvisation. If something goes wrong, they just go with it, giving each performance something unique. Something I’d never seen before, using the curtains and lighting changes to highlight changes in the show, kept the audience thinking.
What I look for in comedy is a joke that leaves you thinking. If you love slapstick comedy, invisible characters, and cows being torn apart by bears then this is the show for you. I highly recommend KiDSHoW! The Umbilical Brothers never disappoint.
KiDSHoW is showing from the 27 March – 13 April Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Theatre