The Poms may not be very good at cricket and may drink their beer warm, but one thing they can do well is put on a spectacular show. With London Calling audiences are given the best of British from a world-class cast that isn’t British at all. Well, that’s except for our host and illusionist extraordinaire Paul Dabek. Welcoming us to ‘old London town’, he acts as our guide through the many and varied showpieces of the evening. 

In a whirlwind one-hour performance we are taken on a train ride on The Tube, with foot juggler Antje Pode providing us with a suitcase full of entertainment.  Then it’s off to Wimbledon as Captain Frodo shows us in, around and through the tennis, causing quite a racket (pun intended) while he’s at it. From there we head to the skies. Chelsea Angell is our flight attendant for the evening and serves up a groovy twist to our in-flight meals. This is what I particularly loved about London Calling. It has a theme and really sticks to it. From Roberto Carlos taking us on a fluorescent juggling performance at Piccadilly Circus to Paul Dabek bringing Lion King animals to life in the West End, the audience is transported on a magical ride through London’s streets and many attractions. Of course, you can’t visit London without visiting a pub. My highlight of the evening was watching Oscar Kaufman rise to the ceiling and perform aerial tricks on a coat rack. Who even thinks of these things?

Freddie Mercury made a brief appearance but, with so much to fit into a one-hour show, I think we may have missed out on seeing him in action. You definitely won’t hear me complaining though, because after watching this illuminating, amazing and slightly off-beat production you’ll want to sit down with some tea and crumpets and marvel at what you just witnessed.

****1/2 FOUR AND A HALF STARS

London Calling is playing now at Gluttony for Adelaide Fringe 2025

Reviewed by Shane Berketa