I must start this review by admitting that I was a couple of minutes late to the performance, which I absolutely hate. Not only because it’s incredibly unprofessional, but also because, having seen Dandy Darkly before, I know that from the very first minute he offers an explosive performance, and it’s a shame to miss it.
Walking in, panting from my sprint across the city, Darkly (aka Neil Arthur James) was already in full flow. Dressed flamboyantly with what looked to be a sparkly jumpsuit and coat, and a face painted up in red white and blue, Darkly dominated the stage, which was otherwise simply dressed with glittery cutouts of his subject matter. As he weaved us through his gripping narrative, he was accompanied by a pre-recorded music track that really added to the atmosphere and imagery he created.
The tale he wove for us tonight was one concerned with racism, capitalism, and gay rights. Mixed also with a sense of the fantastic, and with a god-like spider offering a mystical element, there was plenty to keep us entertained.
I confess to being envious at Darkly’s stamina. Halfway through the show and I was still struggling to recover from my short sprint, while he continued with an energy unknown, descending into near hysteria at points as the dark and twisted world we, as the audience, all now inhabited took hold. Such is his personality and force that every single person in the room was gripped by his beautifully poetic words.
That rapt attention was sometimes needed, because the pace to which Darkly takes you on this journey leaves no time for dawdling, and even a momentary lapse in concentration will leave you scrabbling to catch up.
Dandy Darkly’s All Aboard is a fantastic piece of storytelling, with a very thinly veiled critique of American culture. The greed, the racism, the religious undertones driving intolerance of LGBTQ culture. All were sniped down by Darkly’s witty and charismatic narrative.
Relentless high octane energy reaching multiple crescendos of hysteria, Dandy Darkly has an awe-inspiring command of the English language, and will pull you into his web of words with the talent and ease of a spider. I just wish I could keep up with him.
0 Comments