Review: Flabbergasters

**Picture**: Cirque Stuntman Joel amazing the crowd (*image credit: Creative Futures Photography*)

The Act React team has another surefire hit on their hands. Flabbergasters is a fantastic show that showcases the talents of Joel Fenton (aka The Cirque Stuntman) and of Pete Booth (Magic Pete). The one-hour Anywhere Festival Flabbergasters program had every member of the audience impressed, entertained, and often in fits of laughter. And I do mean every member of the audience: parents, kids, reviewers, singles, and grandparents had a really great time, as this show ‘hit the spot’ those age 6 months and above.

I’m not going to run through every trick because I have a feeling that this talented duo is quite capable to changing the program to match the audience. On this particular Sunday afternoon we had lots of opportunities for kids and adults to help Magic Pete with a number of pieces of magic, mentalism, balloon animal making, card tricks, flea rope-lifting, and plate spinning. Magic Pete is great at entertaining kids, and is clearly equally able to entertain a boisterous party of 8-year-olds, a merry comedy festival crowd, and a community centre Anywhere Festival audience

Cirque Stuntman Joel had us all flabbergasted on so many occasions. We were wowed by the golfclubs and ball-balancing, and the Harlem-Globetrotters-style basketball spinning (I have never seen two balls spinning on just one finger). I was slightly shocked by the unique ‘clubbing juggling,’ and I think a number of members of the audience were completely staggered to see the toilet seat dislocation/contortion. And we were all wowed by the unicycle knife juggling.

Together, Magic Pete and Cirque Stuntman Joel more than delivered on the promise to entertain, surprise, and amuse. And that was before they had us all in fits of laughter at their incredibly silly and very funny leaf-blower balloon number; a finale that is alone absolutely worth the price of admission.

Such a memorable way to end my personal 2024 Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay program. If you ever get the chance to see the Flabbergasters show I am certain it will be a fun event to go to with your family, friends, or just on your own—as this is another must-see Act React show. Just make sure you tell the kids to start their own Magic Pete journey with their own magic kit—and stress that they are not to try any of those Cirque Joel stunts at home!

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Magic Pete amazing the audience (*Creative Future Photography*)

Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program included only two performances by the Flabbergasters (18th and 26th May 2024). The 26th May performance was at The Hills District Community Centre, 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills. Tickets $20-$50 ($50 entry price was incredible value for a family ticket, and included a free balloon animal for each child on leaving the show). All ages. 60 minutes.

The reviewer attended the 26 May 2024 2:30pm performance.

Geoff Lawrence