Horse

Horse is a funny and often absurd love story to horses, performed and created by Flick Ferdinando, that is not without its more sombre moments. Ferdinando effectively combines elements of burlesque, cabaret and physical comedy to devise her one woman show.

There is not necessarily much cohesion in terms of a plot, but I did enjoy the feel of a one woman variety show in which the acts are more linked by a common theme than a completely discernible narrative.

One of my favourite parts of the show was when Ferdinando donned horse ears and a partial mane to execute a burlesque-like act in which she incorporates physical humour, more than a little bit of sauciness and horsey movements to create an entrancing and hilarious routine.

I think there were one or two points that may have been lost on me, not knowing very much about horses or horse riding, but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the show as a whole. A couple of the more serious moments that stuck with me illustrated the risks that horses encounter from being used in commercial industries like meat, leather and glue, to the suggestion of a show-horse being shot after breaking its leg. These solemn moments were weaved into the hilarity of the rest of the show, which, at times had me gasping for breath through my laughter.

At the end of her performance, after a sultry rendition of Cole Porter’s Don’t Fence Me In, Ferdinando, gets members of the audience up on stage to dance as a mirror ball provides atmospheric lighting. My friend and I were lucky (perhaps?) enough to be pulled up – I’m usually horrified at the thought of audience participation but this was a pleasant end to a very enjoyable show.

By Andrea Taylor.