By David Jobling
Pure Joy from Ages 3 to 103 – A Masterclass in Clowning
Piip and Tuut at Concert at The Lab in Fool’s Paradise, is suitable for people from 3 – 103 and it is a rare delight to find a show that truly resonates across a century of audience members. My attending group spanned from my three-year-old grandchild to myself at closest to 103, with my thirty-something children in between. We were all captivated from the start.
The premise is simple but clever: two cleaners arrive to find an audience, but no concert, so Tuut decides to take advantage of the opportunity to share one of his tricks. The chemistry between the performers is a classic study in contrast. Piip is the anxious rule-follower, while Tuut is the showy rule-breaker – “fine combination of spirits” that creates a perfect comedic engine.
While the show starts at an engaging, gentle pace, it builds into a quick-fire whirlwind of laughs and impressive little tricks. What truly sets Estonian troupers Haide Männamäe and Toomas Tross apart, however, is their finely honed skill with audience interaction. They integrated the younger children into the physical comedy with such sensitivity and supportive attention; in the hands of less experienced performers, it could have been chaotic, but here it was magic.
This is a smart, light-hearted, and genuinely funny hour of theatre. I have no hesitation in suggesting that anyone – regardless of age – will find joy in these two well-trained performers strutting their stuff.
Rating: FIVE STARS!!
Piip and Tuut at Concert, The Lab at Fool’s Paradise:
Thu 19 Mar – Fri 20 Mar: 10:30am
Sat 21 Mar – Sun 22 Mar: 12:10pm, 4:10pm
For more information and tickets, visit: adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/piip-and-tuut-at-concert-af2026
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