Släpstick: Schërzo – Wilton’s Music Hall, London

I defy anyone not to have fun at Släpstick: Schërzo, a raucous, clever and very skillful show where nothing in classical music is sacred.

Släpstick: Schërzo

I would be hard pressed to think of a better show to stage in Wilton’s Music Hall than Släpstick’s Schërzo.  Or indeed a better venue for this show.  Släpstick’s blend of music and comedy took me back to the glory days of music halls and variety shows, while Wilton’s adds a touch of rustic class to proceedings.  Wilton’s and Släpstick are a match made in heaven.

A little bit more about the company and the show before I wax lyrical, though.  This is Släpstick’s London debut, although it follows a successful Edinburgh Fringe run in 2023 and a multitude of other touring locations.   Släpstick are a Dutch company who combine classical music and clowning.  Think 21 melodies in one minute, or Swan Lake* with a Björk dress, a life ring, and a birth scene.  Every skit is funny, inventive, and requires musical and comedic talent. 

Släpstick are, without exception, multi-instrumentalists.  They fit pretty much a full orchestra on the Wilton’s stage, and use everything.  Their talents don’t stop there, either.  There’s a winning rendition of Largo al Factotum from the Barber of Seville (the Urban Geographer had to supply the correct name but you would know it if you heard it, it’s the one that goes “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro…”).  There’s a very funny ventriloquism routine involving Beethoven, Schubert, and yodeling.  And a Salterton Arts Review favourite: tapdancing.  Tapdancing like I can guarantee you’ve never seen before, in fact.

The lovely thing about Schërzo as a show is how well it works for everyone.  It’s (mostly) in English, but it’s accessible if you don’t speak it.  If you don’t know classical music that well, you’ll enjoy it.**  And if you do, you’ll probably get something else out of it again.  It’s a funny, clever, engaging sort of show that I urge you to get along to.  It’s on until Saturday including a couple of matinées. Get there early to enjoy some likeable and not too taxing interaction which gets the audience in the mood to have fun.

*I was later informed by the Urban Geographer that I was in fact listening to Le Cygne by Camille Saint-Saëns. I apologise, however…

**…it sort of proves my point that whether you recognise all the music or not, you will have a good time!

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 4.5/5

Släpstick: Schërzo on until 12 October 2024.  More info and tickets here.