Scotch and Soda

Want a night out without being bombarded by idle chatter and verbal display? Want to be transfixed for over an hour?

Company 2 is a Brisbane based multi-disciplinary company who uses the circus, dance and live music as their platform and who on this occasion was accompanied by a raunchy selection of on-stage musicians/characters formed from the backbone of the Sydney jazz underworld.

The promos for this underground bash of an effervescent blend of music and acrobatics stated it is raucous and dexterous: what words could describe it better. Most of the selection of feats we've seen before in one way or another but what made this presentation different was the driving energy of the band (woodwind, brass and percussion) who honked and even squawked their way through an array of arrangements that felt reminiscent of an off-beat ex-communist Eastern Europe country. Was I part of a tour dropping into this part of the world for some cultural refreshment or was this really Australia trying to be different? Then the penny dropped: this was gypsy-land on the road recreating the style of the period complete with suitable costuming and elements of circus-in-the-round.

With pretty much non-stop action and good timing, the feats were well executed by the slice of raw alpha-male energy mostly worth a second look, except with the addition of one poor little Miss caught up in a group fantasy, complete with television smile, and a band of musical brothers who leered and honked their way through a score of predominantly gypsy circus music.

With its intimate setting and proviso for beer-swilling and audience involvement, The 'Judy' (as it's now affectionately called) was the perfect venue for all the gusto and bravatura of this unique combination of genres, not always suitable for the faint hearted.

Scotch and Soda was a jolt in the seat, more of a double scotch, neat. What a shame there wasn't a follow-on second act to greet! Pardon my poetry ......

Brian Adamson

Photographer: Prudence Upton.