Review: PSS PSS at Kinneksbond

On the 28th of September, the Kinneksbond presented to the public the show Pss Pss, an original performance devised by Simone Fassari and Camilla Pessi. The duo created the acclaimed Compagnia Baccalà after years of theatre and circus experience, and have performed this number more than 700 times in over 50 countries.

While there is no dialogue or traditional form of narrative, Fassari and Pessi do introduce us to two unnamed characters - a man and a woman - who have a comical and light-hearted way of interacting with each other and their surroundings. The show is targeted for children and in a way that mixes the tone of silent films with the clownesque atmosphere of an elegant circus. While most of the numbers are quite acrobatic, the mannerisms of the two artists can almost be imagined in black and white, due to how greatly they resemble the acting ways of days gone by.

Although most of the soundtrack was recorded, the pair did play some instruments during parts of the performance, like a trumpet, an accordion and even a musical ladder. That was certainly one of the highlights of the show, alongside the many moments of interaction with the audience. A gentleman from the front row was, in fact, recurrently called on stage to assist with the numbers, being even invited to physically support Pessi in positions one would assume to be fairly complex. He did, however, pull it off with remarkable ease, making us all feel much closer to the universe of the characters.

The most refreshing thing about this event was the reaction of the public. Shows in Luxembourg are usually not known for the enthusiasm of their audience. Might be a cultural characteristic, very often mimicked by the foreign community residing in the Grand Duchy, but the truth is that from major rock concerts to university gigs, from an opera to an amateur play, the reaction of the public tends to be somewhat contained. In this case, however, since the majority of the people present were actually children, the Compagnia Baccalà got a (well deserved, yet) uncharacteristic cheerful feedback from those watching, all throughout the play.

Knowing that this play has been performed over 700 times, it would be interesting to know if it is a work in constant evolution, or if the artists have kept the same routine over the years. Be that as it may, this was an entertaining night and we must congratulate Simone Fassari and Camilla Pessi for their performance and the joy they bring all around the world.

Image credit: Bohumil Kostohryz | Kinneksbond, Centre Culturel Mamer

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