Spraoi festival grapples with complexities of female reproduction

Fullstop Acrobatic Theatre went a little too far for some in the audience with its risqué Outside the Box performance at the Spraoi International Street Arts Festival in Waterford on Friday.

The aerial acrobatic show from the Belgian/ British outfit explored traditional gender stereotypes, but there were lots of quizzical looks from younger members of the audience – not to mention hot flushes among the adults – as the performers described the complexities of the female reproductive system.

Following complaints from some audience members on Friday afternoon, Saturday’s performance came with a warning: “Some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.”

The festival – rain-free this year – brought more than 200 free gigs to the city, with acts from 10 countries performing alongside homegrown talent.

That included a Victorian funeral procession which wound its way through the paved streets of the city. Along the way, mourners (audience members) filed in behind the elaborate hearse, taking no notice of the tutu-clad unicyclist who swiftly pedalled out of their path. “It’s all a bit morbid, isn’t it?” said one lady.

Morbid & Sons

“Morbid & Sons, actually,” quipped the pale-faced Archibald Morbid, head of sales at the family undertaker business.

The interactive street theatre act Morbid & Sons, by Curious State theatre company, was one of several world premieres at this year's festival. Spraoi parade director Nick Kavanagh (the aforementioned Archibald Morbid) devised and developed Morbid & Sons with funding from Spraoi and the Arts Council, via the Three Sisters 2020 Capital of Culture project. The result was a monochrome standout in a colourful weekend.

The city was packed last night for Waterford The Musical – Spraoi's parade – which recreated famous stories in local lore. Strongbow and Aoife duetted to the tune of Gilbert O'Sullivan's Matrimony; a rusty-looking Thomas Francis Meagher recruited troops for the US army while belting out Val Doonican's Walk Tall; and starlets spun to the sounds of All That Glass (Jazz), recalling Waterford Crystal and the city's Tops of the Town glory years.