REVIEW: THE DESPERETTES GUIDE TO BEING A WINGMAN
4.5 out of 5 stars
Returning to Melbourne following sell out seasons at Perth’s Fringe World and Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Desperettes are back with a slick, entertaining night out with “A Guide to Being a Wingman”.
Three women, suited up as men, and wearing the most fabulous pink beehives are going to teach you all the best pick up lines while singing and rapping the best from pop, R+B and dance music, filled with topical lyric edits. Featuring hits from Justin Timberlake, Salt n Peppa, Beyonce and more, as well as the best cover of Fat Man Scoop’s Be Faithful I’ve ever heard, and great use of Wilson Phillips: you’ll be dancing in your seats. Belinda Henne Reid, Natasha York and Ashley Jarman are on a mission to pick up The D, and guided by an audio book of techniques that men use to pick up women, share stereotypical adventures of picking up, going out and meeting people in Melbourne.
The hilarious hour of comedy cabaret is nothing but entertaining; it’s light, the audience roar with laughter and take the audience participation segment in with gusto. Divorcee Daisy (Hanne Reid) successfully picks up Josie, with the help of her wingman DeeDee who infiltrates Josie’s friends to ensure Daisy is prepped and informed with the inside scoop. Painfully inexperiencedDelilah (Jarman) picks up the delightful (but gay) Scott, who hit the dance floor like he’s a member of the cast, and Desperately keen DeeDee (York) spies her married prey in Heath. All members of the audience, including the three lucky dates of the Desperettes love the audience participation and being part of this journey, and have a lot of fun throughout the whole show. Phrases like “clitterference” will become part of your dating vocabulary, and you’ll be trying to remember their corny, catchy pick up lines for later when you’re hitting up Tinder.
The vocals are tight and the harmonies are on point, engaging with their audience with charm, charisma and cheek. The group move as a well oiled machine, well rehearsed but still spontaneous, with the only criticism being that sometime the audience couldn’t catch every single line of their wit and banter because we were laughing too hard at something they had said previously. Littered with political and pop culture references, you’re going to want to dance, clap and sing along with this show.
The lighting is well used and the sound track, complete with audio book, sound effects and a myriad of songs is slick, well produce and keeps the pace of the show going, and the cast do well to keep up. Tasma Terrace is a great venue with a lot of character, divided into four spaces across the terrace houses behind Victorian Parliament, and the venue is intimate, warm and buzzing with energy, as the small spaces are packed with people enjoying the show.
This show is delightful, it’s funny and engaging, and it’s relatable. You’ll wish your wing men were suited up and wearing a beehive like them. A Guide to Being a Wingman is on at Tasma Terrace as part of MICF until 22nd April. Tickets and info at: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2017/shows/the-desperettes-a-guide-to-being-a-wingman
This article first appeared at : http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/desperettes-guide-to-being-a-wingman/ on 3 April 2017.
