Last updated: 15 July 2023
From the Roaming Required Archives. Here’s a flashback to the time that Scotch & Soda performed at Wonderground in London in 2015
If you’ve ever considered running off to join the circus, Scotch & Soda will do nothing but feed those ambitions.
Wonderground is returning to delight Londoners for yet another summer on London’s Southbank. Performances ranging from circus, music, burlesque are present to tempt your taste buds. Whatever your flavour, there’s something for everyone.
Scotch & Soda is one such act. To my delight, it’s a composition of the Australian performing arts company, Company 2, with the funky tunes of the Crusty Suitcase Band to form a circus & music troupe under the intimate seating of the Spiegeltent. The acrobatic characters styling is a mix of Ron Moody’s Fagin and the vaudeville era of the early 30s. As they jest and taunt one another they provide an element of escapism, so much so, you quickly forget you’re sitting in central London in 2015.
The acts well where does one start?! From the interesting use of a wine bottle, balancing on precariously stacked boxes, to some manoeuvres that rival that inverted dive from Top Gun, there’s enough to keep you entertained for the entire 70 mins. – Including the odd the odd willy waggle. Wink wink.
Sitting in the audience ringside, every muscle in my body clenched as I watch a man suspend himself upside down from a trapeze, holding on with nothing but his heel. I held my breath and stared, wide eyed. The question was never ‘what will I get from this’ it was more, how long can my bladder hold out with all this raucous laughter and nervous tension!
Nothing else to do this weekend? Get yourself to the Udderbelly Festival and sip on drinks such as negronis, G&Ts or freshly made Pimms which are simply made for summer in London. There’s outdoor bars with deck chairs easily affording you the luxury to direct your gaze to the big blue skies above. Take the opportunity to leave your jacket at home and get in to see some of the best acts such as Scotch & Soda in London this summer.
Keen but want to know what you’re in for? Here’s a sneak peak at Scotch & Soda:
The Essentials
Scotch & Soda
- When: 14 May – 02 August 2015
- Where: Southbank, London, SE1 8XX
- Transport: Southbank is a stone’s throw from Waterloo with direct access to Jubilee, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City tube lines as well as National Rail services.
- Cost: While entry is free to the festival, tickets are required for individual events. Scotch & Soda, tickets start from £20. Get tickets through Official Theatre or through Southbank Centre. Bring some extra cash for the bar.
- Verdict: Without a doubt, Scotch & Soda was thoroughly entertaining. I laughed, anxiously gripped my hands and held my breath in places. Then I went home and practiced by stretches for one day, I might just get picked for audience participation. Highly recommended!
- Ticket tip: Pay the extra for posh seats and get yourself ringside.
- Notes: May not be suitable for younger children. Some nudity involved.
Disclosure:
While I was a guest of Official Theatre, all opinions, as always, are my own.
