BWW Reviews: Tom Tom Crew - Outrageously Raw and Adrenaline-Inducing

Walking into the Forum Theatre last night was like walking into the latest, funkiest nightclub and then taking a very legal dose of the world class Australian Tom Tom Crew.  This all male troupe can seemingly do anything they put their mind to. One moment these boys are acrobatically flying through the air, the next on turntables mixing the music, the next accompanying the action on electric guitar...oh yeah and why not throw a bit of contortion in just for good measure. These are the type of guys that make you wish you hadn't bought your girlfriend that ticket for her birthday.

Tom Tom Crew is a 75 minute urban mash of acrobatics, hip hop and percussion that is outrageously raw in its energy and adrenaline. It's an energy exchange between artist and audience that seems to transform both to another place. The opening is a symphony of scratches, beats and bass mixed with acrobatics and outlandish percussion from musical director Ben Walsh (This guy can do anything with two sticks) Then, from the wings, walks Tom Thum...after 10 seconds of Thum's beat boxing I hypnotically place my pen back in my jacket pocket and sit mesmerised for the next 10 minutes at the remarkable cacophony of sound that emanates from this young genius's voice box.  If there is a better artist in this field anywhere in the world I would be surprised. This prodigy's chords can elicit anything. Thum produced entire Orchestra's, a Michael Jackson tribute, even transported us to a New Orleans jazz club all with his beats. And if this wasn't enough in itself Thum gives a slice of his upbringing by creating a highly artistic piece of graffiti accompanied by his own beat soundtrack. It is a truly memorable performance.

In fact the whole show is entirely memorable. It's Urban Australia's answer to Cirque du Soleil and its unique rawness gives it an edge that is accessible to all. The young will be captivated, the old in awe and everyone else completely inspired. Special mention must go to Mik Le Varg for some of the best sound engineering you could wish for in a show .Tom Tom Crew has to be one of Australia's greatest exports. Having played at sold out festivals around the world over the past 5 and a half years it's a privilege to have the opportunity to watch them on home soil at the Melbourne Festival.  If you want to be wowed and you're looking for fun, then these boys are the ticket.

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