The moon on a skit
Incorporating circus performance, comedy, theatre and film, Wolfe Bowart's LaLaLuna is a surreal tale about the night the light went out in the moon
Canned laughter A show of breathtaking physicality
When the light in the Moon goes out one night, mime and physical comedian Wolfe Bowart is very disturbed. You see, as the Moon's caretaker, he is responsible for setting things right again. And, with the world in near darkness, this is no mean feat.
Luckily, Bowart is armed with an hilarious repository of tools - a tower of suitcases, a winged unicycle, a ukulele, and a chorus of whoopee cushions - with which he attempts to relight the rocky satellite throughout the show. Clad in fleecy pajamas, a dressing gown and clownish upturned shoes, topped off with a silly face and an even sillier laugh, the hero of LaLaLuna has a universal appeal, his magic, mime, juggling and jokes endearing him to even the most po-faced of audience members.
Bowart first performed LaLaLuna at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2006 before embarking on a tour of the US and Europe where he has been widely praised. His performance of LaLaLuna at the London International Mime Festival last years was said to have injected "real joie de vivre" into what can sometimes be a rather staid art form.
The breathtakingly physical and magically silly show is back in Australia for the Autumn school holidays and can be enjoyed by young and old alike with Bowart incorporating half-length performances throughout the season to cater to children under the age of ten. The enchanting dreamscape of LaLaLuna will continue to tour for several months before Bowart premieres a new show in Australia early in 2009. Resli Buchel
LaLaLuna Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, cnr Cleveland St & City Rd, Chippendale 2008. (02 9351 7940 www.seymourcentre.com.au or www.lalaluna.com). Half Moon Performance (for children aged five to ten): Wed 16, Mon 21 & Tue 22 April at 10.30am & 1pm; Thu 17, Fri 18, Wed 23 & Thu 24 Apr at 1pm. Adult $24; child $16. Full moon evening show (for families): Fri 18, Wed 23 & Thu 24 Apr at 8pm; Sat 19 & Sat 26 Apr at 2pm & 8pm. Adult $45; child $38. Booking fees apply.