Wonderland Carnivale

En-route to tonight's comic Carnivale we see the first joke is Docklands. The seat-less Ferris wheel, carnie-like Costco, and eerie ghost town provide instant material for interstate duo “The Nelson Twins” and international headliner “Ian Bagg”.  After the head-spin that is navigating Harbourtown, the Wonderland Spiegeltent proves a delightful destination. Cue the cotton candy, popcorn, and devoted table service. The show opens with sequined dancers Mr Pop and Miss Candy whose transitional acts seem sloppily directed, reducing the pair to an awkward eye candy (which many will savor). Fortunately, it is when Candy later ascends the stage for a tissue act that we see her true talent. The Nelson's established set of twin gimmicks and cheeky dick jokes satisfies the crowd. Acrobat Kaos impresses with hoop and trapeze acts, but also confuses, executing the routines with a tipsy 'Karen Walker' esque persona that lacks comic timing. For tonight's finale Ian Bagg...s'out the audience, “I just look down” the comic quips of his entire improvisational process, groaning about tonight's under filled “churchy” crowd. If we are under-inspiring, Bagg is a sure act, he finds his way through and the laughs aren't lost.