Sun 2 Dec
words: ADRIENNE WALKER
The harmonising honeys, seductive secretaries and roller-skating retro stylists that are the Kitsch and Sync Collective (Kylie Ann Smith, Kim Noble and Rosalind Haf Brooks), offered up an unexpectedly surreal and kooky dance theatre experience with Private Eye Detective at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, to kick off the festive month in style.
As keen retro fans, my friend and I turned up to Chapter in our best vintage wear in the spirit of the production and found ourselves quickly issued with pieces of paper on which we were tasked to tell the detective of the piece what we would do if we were to find our partner was cheating on us, setting up the premise of the show nicely.
On entering the theatre we found ourselves transported to the set of a film noir as we took our seats at one of various tables set up around the multi lamp-shaded room; complete with a teapot, a nice supply of Jammie Dodgers and another intriguing bit of detective work for us to do.
The production itself is hilarious, tempered by a darker and at times menacing undertone. Packed full of gorgeous set pieces and costumed with an obvious love and an eye for the details of the vintage trends they are influenced by, Kitsch And Sync Collective are three incredibly talented women who use their skills to full effect. To an electro swing soundtrack and reworking of songs such as Crazy In Love and Tainted Love, they high-tail it through the story of three dames who may share more than they care to; ballet dancing around the office (en pointe no less), slinging around the odd martini in a pair of tap shoes, and throwing in a bit of synchronised skipping while they’re at it.
With a background in theatre I was thoroughly entertained, however the narrative was a little lost on my friend, frustrated to have missed some of the clues to the story through the choice of non-traditional theatre seating and not quite following what the more contemporary parts of the work were trying to convey.
I’m certainly be keen to see what the girls come up with next, and if you are too, they will be at the Moon Club in Cardiff on Fri 21 Dec with A Kristmas Kringles.