Created and Performed by Lachlan Werner
Review by Moyra Jones
Lachlan Werner takes the stage like an angelic vision, with his perfectly coiffed blonde hair and feathery leotard. We’re immediately transported into the world of the Wonder Twunk – a delightful fusion of twink and hunk. Co-written by Werner and Laurie Luxe, the story follows Jack, the strongest boy in the world, as he discovers his true identity and destiny. It’s a darkly camp narrative that echoes elements of Coraline, splashed with the colour palette of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.
The result is beautiful, bizarre and utterly otherworldly. With the help of Freddie Hayes’ gorgeously vaudevillian puppets, Werner conjures an entire circus of characters and storylines. His performance is so seamless and captivating that you often forget there’s only one person on stage. The show is a dazzling blend of ventriloquism, puppetry, singing, dancing, and circus tricks – all working in perfect harmony to deliver an absurdly layered, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving tale.
Werner radiates charm, wit, and mischief, holding the audience in the palm of his hand from the very first “wow.” He is, quite simply, the most impressive performer I’ve ever seen. The speed and precision with which he shifts between characters – vocally and physically – is astonishing.
Laurie Luxe’s direction is sharp, specific, and wonderfully clever. Paulina Lenoir’s costume and set design charmingly ties together the Tim Burton-Esque slightly off beauty of Brad News’ circus, while Chuck SJ’s sound design is perfectly woven into the fabric of the show.
I laughed from start to finish and never had a clue what was coming next. This show is utterly cheeky, utterly joyful and utterly unforgettable. I’m so here for #TwunkSummer.
Utterly Cheeky, Utterly Unforgettable
WonderTwunk runs at Pleasance Dome
Running time: Sixty minutes without interval
Review by Moyra Jones (contact@corrblimey.uk)
This gander prefers a little privacy
