Grafitti Classics (SkinnyFest2)

Their musicianship is precise and impressive- the violinists astonish on the Romanian melody 'The Lark'- and the gags move things at a rapid pace.

Article by Gareth K Vile | 14 Aug 2006
Drums thunder and smoke floods the dark stage. A portentous voice intones that the audience will be elevated to the higher echelons of consciousness.

The string quartet marches on, performing Holst's Jupiter on kazoos. Graffiti Classics mock the seriousness surrounding Classical music with family friendly humour and audience participation. They mug and bow their way through baroque, romantic, folk, jazz and gospel, pausing to fight each other for the spotlight. Their musicianship is precise and impressive- the violinists astonish on the Romanian melody The Lark - and the gags move things at a rapid pace.

This is the perfect introduction to Classical: the tunes are familiar and, in spite of moments of tenderness, they keep the children laughing. The weaker moments here are the songs - none of the band has a strong voice for the resonance of folk and jazz - but these are brief interludes.

The finale - an Irish song, dedicated to the departed father of the bassist- was poignant, but when they charged into the can-can for the encore, they dispelled the melancholy and left the crowd applauding furiously. (Gareth Vile)
Pleasance Dome, Until Aug 28 (not 16), Prices Vary, 16.55