The award-winning and internationally renowned Släpstick returns to the Fringe with their unique brand of mischief: Chaplin meets Tchaikovsky, Groucho Marx does Mozart. Schërzo sees a highbrow classical concert glissando into a bacchanal of mishaps and absurdity.
Neither bewigged composer nor magnum opus is safe from buffoonery in this clownish concerto from Spirit of the Fringe Award winner Släpstick. Behold as a marble bust of Beethoven comes alive and challenges his fellow sculptures to a yodeling battle-royale; meanwhile Schubert’s Erlkönig laments his dying son while prancing on a trampoline. Even the ghost of George Gershwin takes a turn as he accompanies an entire symphony orchestra, played by five musicians and led by an inflatable conductor.
In classical music, a Schërzo is a vigorous, light, or playful composition, typically comprising a movement in a symphony, or sonata. However, Släpstick are taking it literally for a perfect pitch prank. With their trademark blurring of physical comedy and musical talent, Släpstick play every imaginable (and un-imaginable) instrument to the highest level as they return to Fringe once again.
Släpstick comments, A ‘nothing’s sacred’ take on a classical concert, Schërzo is a way to poke fun at a genre of music that’s normally seen as rather elitist. Given the success of our last run at the Fringe, we try to stay true to our slapstick roots: the audience is guaranteed a heap of physicality, oddball instruments, and musical fireworks.
