Low Down

Mat Fraser (the self-confessed freak) and Julie Atlas Muz (winner of Miss Exotic World 2006) present their audience with an outrageous burlesque cabaret show of magic tricks, song, dance and striptease, but they do not stop there. This show forces us to challenge our thoughts on disability and nudity and will make you laugh your head off out of sheer disbelieve.

Review

The manner in which this charming couple take to the stage―partially naked and riding a tandem―sets the tone for the rest of the performance. “We are going to take you on a wild white-knuckle ride!” they scream out visually from their bike. But before any of that Mat Fraser talks freely about his disability, technically known as phocomelia. His honesty and refreshing views about his own differences immediately dissolve any awkwardness you might have felt because of his appearance. Mat also tells us how he and the showgirl―the fabulous Julie Atlas Muz―met at the last ‘genuine’ freak show on Coney Island in the United States. This only serves to tickle the imagination even further.

Now it is time for the roller-coaster of cabaret, dance and freakish acts to begin. Throughout we get a complete blur of fairytale, horror, myth and mischief, beginning with a solo act by Julie dressed as Little Red Riding Hood... and the wolf! However, she does not stay dressed for long, her sexy dance ends in a wild frenzy of shedded cape, claws and fur.  Mat’s striptease involves prosthetic arms, which when pulled off reveal his ‘flippers’ only not quite bare. They are covered by white socks, which he removes with all the delicacy and faux-sexiness of an exotic dancer. At one point we are taken back to the 1930’s American depression, when ‘Sealo the Seal Boy’ made a living by appearing in every major side and freak show in the United States. In Mat’s rendition of Sealo there is not just simple mimicry but pure admiration for this legendry character. They are literally brothers in arms. After Julie performs an extremely revealing song about pubic hair, there is a special treat for the Dutch audience. Dressed in scamp but traditional Dutch costume, Mat and Julie clog-dance their way through whirling organ music. The performance continues with wave after wave of shock, horror and body parts too numerous and outrageous to mention.

They aim to shock and succeed brilliantly. However, this show could so easily have become offensive, seedy or just plain revolting; but instead it succeeds in being about fun and laughter and a celebration of the human body in all its forms and mutations. Both performers ooze charisma and this, together with their openness, wins the audience over with ease. The Freak and the Showgirl is a highly skilled, high quality and entertaining act, which is on show throughout. But besides all the thrills, frills and spills, it tells us how important tolerance and acceptance are in a world where fear and exclusion are there for all to see.

Reviewed by Simon Joseph 2 September 2010

Website :

www.matfraser.co.uk/

www.julieatlasmuz.com/

The freak is sexy and the showgirl is outrageously freakish. You cannot help but to love them. You should definitely not miss this show!

www.amsterdamfringefestival.nl/fringe/programma/fringe-2010/the-freak-and-the-showgirl.aspx