Kaput

• Brian Donaldson
• 7 August 2012

This article is from 2012.

credit: Sean Young

Choreographed mayhem was never this beautiful

If Billy the Mime is channelling the likes of Neil Hamburger and Denis Leary (early 90s non-bouffant version) in his celebrity scandal-fixated show, Tom Flanagan is tapping straight back into the golden era of silent comedy for his child-friendly show. With Kaput, the Circus Oz and Tom Tom Crew alumnus delivers a masterclass in the simple but effective, and shows that with intricate planning allied with a clear love of your craft, choreographed mayhem can be a truly beautiful thing.

With rows of kids and adult lapping up every minute, Flanagan gets trapped inside a ladder, accidentally rips open a cinema screen, has his head lodged in a bucket of ‘glue’ and indulges in some awkward romance with a not-overly willing female from the audience (arguably the only thing he has in common with Billy the Mime’s show).

Flanagan also shows off his acrobatic skills by somersaulting from the top of his ladder, a dangerous feat on such a small stage and with nothing especially soft to land on. And as if all that wasn’t enough, he even makes it rain. Now that’s what I call an all-rounder.

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 27 Aug (not 13, 20), 3.05pm, £11--£13 (£10--£12).