Horse

This is a strange show, part cabaret, part comedy, part polemic, part circus. It's certainly in the right venue; the big top atmosphere of the Bosco Tent works in it's favour.

Flick Ferdinando is an engaging performer as she takes on the form of various horses and horse mad characters. She does lovely horse body language, she sings, she's very good at voices and there's some effective aerial acrobatics.

The show doesn't shy away from the fetishistic elements of riding costumes or equipment, nor from the sexual connotations of riding. It's also strong on the abuse of horses. The little pony so eager to be owned by someone that she offers us her body parts to do as we will with is a very uncomfortable sequence. As indeed it should be but somehow all this doesn't quite fit with an afternoon show. It needs a much later slot.

There's another eager little pony, this one taking part in a horse show. Sadly it can't quite make the jumps, hurts itself and pays the ultimate penalty. There the shocking end to an amusing routine is powerful, but some of the dance and movement routines are not strong enough to sustain their length.

Not everything is doom and gloom. There's a lovely circus comedy riding act using a stuffed vaulting horse which is very well performed and funny. The birth of a tiny horse is lovely. So is Ferdinando's final song, and the dance she does with an audience member during it.

As a show it's a bit of a curate's egg, or in this case a horse-worshiping Irish priest's egg. Great venue, talented performer, good moments but definitely odd.