Dynamic duo Jennifer Byrne and Vicky Falconer-Pritchard deliver an hour of ramshackle zaniness, beckoning their audience to follow Demon Dive Bar’s every metamorphosis. If there is one constant, it’s their predilection for the absurd, surreal humor punctuating each segment. It comes as no surprise that people have suggested The Mighty Boosh and Flight of the Conchords as key influences, though Byrne and Falconer-Pritchard do well to forge their own path, hamming it up in their own way.
And again, their modes of hamming it up vary wildly. Highlights include a drawn-out memory lane monologue, Falconer-Pritchard working overtime to portray every twist and turn of Byrne’s wacky yarn. Meanwhile, Byrne’s ability to riff with the audience is seen at its best when she has the entire room run the full gamut of emotions. Meanwhile, the transformation of a stormy cacophony of cats and dogs also rates as a memorable moment.
The best way to describe Yeti’s is that they specialise in spikes of hilarity. Their randomness doesn’t automatically translate to laughs. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Ultimately, it’s tough to determine the precise formula that makes Demon Dive Bar work. Why is it that a funk banana – basically, a banana portrayed as an instrument – translates as delectably silly and yet an eyeball throwing competition feels like a chore? It’s made of the same stuff, born from the same unique, imaginative minds. It seems logical that it should all work at the same level. As it is, though, Demon Dive Bar definitely has its peaks and troughs. In time, Yeti’s will unlock the mystery and, when that happens, they will offer greater consistency. Right now, their best guarantee is that you will be entertained. With the pair prancing around in almost five kilograms of mop yarn, no one is about to argue that they’re boring.
For every bit of analysis that could be applied to this show, it’s worth reiterating that Demon Dive Bar is great fun. Byrne and Falconer-Pritchard have excellent chemistry and they’re likeable, versatile performers. If you wish to treat yourself to a unique experience this festival, you can count on Yeti’s Demon Dive Bar.
BY NICK MASON