New Art Club –Tom Roden and Pete Shenton – are well-known for their unique blend of comedy and dance, but this year they have something a little different in store for us. Upon entering the space the audience are quickly split into three teams: Meldreth Village, Melbourne Village and The Woods. Tom and Pete each captain a village team and it’s not long before points are flying up on the scoreboard.
In ‘an overblown pompous manner just for comical effect’ – their words – the pair start to explain the fabulous attractions these two villages have to offer: fine establishments like Snipers hair salon and the OneStop, which even has a post office inside, and let’s not forget the wizard/skunk that lives in the woods (a role for a worthy audience member). But the main focus of the story is the shocking news that Meldreth train station may have to change its name to include Melbourne. Let the games begin as we are immersed in an epic village war.
The energy of these two performers is kept at such a constant high that we can’t help but get carried away as we all take part in a series of bread-throwing battles, tug-of-wars, animal cries, and toaster flinching – and that’s just to name a few. It soon turns into madness, but Pete and Tom control the crowd with absolute ease – at this particular performance one audience member was willing to wrestle Pete to the ground, just for a stale pancake and an extra point on the board.
The main plot line is interspersed with explanations from the pair explaining the conceptual, high-brow nature of their work – the fact that they are both as good as any other double act on TV. They even hint at the fact that Morecambe and Wise were a little bit crap, a bold statement, but the two prove their point with a wonderful rendition of the kitchen dance, highlighting its simplicity. This device works wonderfully, but only if you’ve seen New Art Club’s work before: the staple of their artistic practice is a gift for turning contemporary dance into comedy with great ease, and the kitchen dance finale only has resonance for people who follow their work.
Tom and Pete are very talented performers and effortlessly get you on side – their comic timing and stage presence is fantastic and even without their unique dance routines this piece will still entertain almost anyone.