‘Atomic Saloon Show’ a hit in Edinburgh
TEDINBURGH, Scotland HE KATS! BUREAU is Assembly George Square Gardens, the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The espresso is flowing, we’re between drizzles and someone with a brogue or burr (I think Scottish) asked, “What is chaos about, sir?” I said, “Once more?” which I say a lot during this trip.
Then he pointed at my open umbrella, which is from — I’m not kidding — Kaos Nightclub and Dayclub in Las Vegas. I told him where I was from and about the club, and he said, “You need money for honey in Las Vegas.”
I said I’d pass along that phrase to our tourism officials.
More from this scene, and elsewhere:
Swing both ways
The VIP premiere of
“Atomic Saloon Show” was Tuesday night, a 10:10 p.m. performance for an audience peppered with Spiegelworld staffers. Founder Ross Mollison led the group, rejoicing in the slamming opening of the show, which will debut Sept. 8 at its renovated space at The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes. The show is playing at Palais du Variete Spiegeltent, with a nearly in-the-round design and atmosphere — folding chairs, a small central stage — similar to the “Absinthe” Spiegeltent.
The opening song, performed by Colin Cahill as Blue Jackson the Singing Cowboy, addresses a cowpoke’s dual thirst for lust and fisticuffs. This ditty might need some editing (at least in the title) before it hits the Strip.
Elsewhere, saloon proprietor Madame Boozy Skunkton, played by onetime “Zumanity” clown character Petra Massey, puts out an actual bush fire onstage and notes, “This is a brothel! It’s no place for romance!” Ace comedy director Calmccrystal, who celebrated his 60th birthday on Tuesday, littered the script with hokey zingers: “I’m like a saloon door, I swing both ways!” And nun character Sister Maria Immaculator Chorizo Perez Perez Perez Lopez performs “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” with a pingpong ball and a xylophone, which seems innocent enough (cough).
Spiegelworld has found a show that matches the high standards of lowbrow comedy and dazzling acrobatics set by “Absinthe” and “Opium” in Las Vegas. Fringe audiences are said to be a tough nut to crack for comedy, but the audience Tuesday loved the production.
The Festival scene
During the spree of shows here, I’ve enjoyed the diversity for which Edinburgh is famous. Australian comic Sam Taunton, performing in a curtained Edinburgh University classroom or conference room, did a great stretch about Wi-fi. “Where is it, the Wi-fi? It’s here! In the air! I’ll open the door and let it out!” He’s not played Vegas ever, but would be a good fit as host or middle comic at the city’s comedy clubs, for starters.
The Black Blues Brothers musical comedy tribute performed street acrobatics to the music of the Blues Brothers, or songs featured in “The Blues Brothers” movie (“Flip, Flop & Fly,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Shake Your Tail Feather” by Ray Charles). The quintet dresses like Jake and Elwood Blues, performing such acts as a flaming limbo routine and five-man human pyramids in a Prohibition Era set.
Brought to the stage by Italian production company Circo E. Dintorni, the show drew an energetic standing ovation, a classic example of how dazzling acrobatics can be — if you haven’t been exposed to a steady diet of Cirque du Soleil and Spiegelworld and such shows as “Celestia” and “V — The Ultimate Variety Show.”
So, I watched the Black Blues Brothers performance as if I were a producer or director of a Strip show. I’d want to break it down to a single, great act — or a series of a few solid, five-minute acts — and use those artists in rotation in a show like “Absinthe.” That’s the approach Spiegelworld has used to fill its productions with inspired international artists, many of whom have performed at the Fringe.
Westgate redux
My wrap of the Westgate hotel’s four-tier, 50th-anniversary party Saturday night should have included Mark Otoole and his backing band performing at the VIP dinner gala. We always try to shine a light on the dedicated artists who perform at such events, and around the Vegasville entertainment scene, which leads us to …
Cool Hang Alert
Catch Otoole at International Bar (Ibar in shorthand) at Westgate from 7:30 p.m.1 a.m. on Aug. 24. The lounge is open to the right of the hotel’s main entrance. He returns to the venue Oct. 1225, and Nov. 2, 15 and 30. The music carries from the open lounge across the casino. No cover charge; the music and dancing are free, and the vibe is real.
The Review-journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Las Vegas Sands operates The Venetian.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His Podkats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Thursday:
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