Review: PSS PSS – ADELAIDE FRINGE 2019 at Ukiyo, Gluttony

Reviewed by Fiona Talbot-Leigh, Friday 22nd February 2019.

The small tent that is Ukiyo was the perfect venue for this most intriguing show, Pss Pss. Presented by Compagnia Baccalà, it is one of the most unique shows that I have ever seen.

Two endearing clown characters, Camilla Pessi and Simone Fassari, travel the world to critical acclaim winning multiple awards along the way. One worthy of mentioning is the Cirque du Soleil Prize. In 2010 they completed the Company's first full-length work, naming the show Pss Pss, which has been gleefully received by audiences all around the world.

This performance is timeless and has the ability for cross-culture as it endears itself to all ages and, because the only spoken word is the occasional Pss Pss, it overcomes all language barriers as well. There is wonderful childlike energy surrounding both performers. Their facial expressions are priceless, but it is their skills and capabilities that were awe inspiring.

The show builds slowly and starts out as a stylised theatre piece, that lulled the audience into thinking it may just stay as such, before moving into physical theatre, where the fun really began. The skills that both performers possess held the audience captive for the duration of the show. These two really know how to not only play to an audience, but with them. They take audience participation to another level.

I do not want to go into too much detail, as that would spoil the fun, but just know that a ticket bought for this show is a great investment. Many of us have seen people on trapezes but, in this show, you will see slapstick on a trapeze, and the fun they have with a simple ladder was a joy for all to see.

Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this show and, such is this show's allure, that I had strangers approach me in the garden afterwards, thrusting a leaflet at me, telling me to see it, so I encourage you to go also. This show will surprise and delight you, and leave you feeling uplifted.

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