In a mere 65 minutes, CVNT delivers a generous dollop of shockingly silly yet fabulous genital absurdity. Sophie Power brings a starpower to her trade as a bouffon vulva clown, a magnetic spectacle in a beautifully threaded costume. Through sincerity, the CVNT entrances with a performance you can tell she genuinely enjoys herself in providing, indulging in reactions as she nurtures and plays with the audience like toys, all while having us air our vulnerability, and all directed from under chiffon labia folds.
What emerges throughout the night is gloriously unpredictable, keeping you on the edge of and perhaps even off your seat as you embark on a shimmering journey that is part anatomy lesson, part group therapy session, part sweaty club night, that will surely have you wanting to “come up and play.” The show relies heavily on audience contribution, and admittedly, this reliance on the room alters the quality of each performance. Still, Power, with 10 years of experience under her belt, puts her applaudable improv chops on show, tending to all confessed thoughts with exhilarating sympathy.
While ridiculously funny, you are left wondering if the show offered substantial substance over audience mockery for guaranteed laughs, and if there was deeper intention behind, for example, the CVNT-worshipping anthem on par with adult mandatory assembly — despite it all being an enjoyable, crowd-pleasing effort. Additionally, the interactive masturbation simulation proved to be excessive at times, as were the deep moaning noises, and is guaranteed to not always satisfy as everyone’s cup of tea.
Nonetheless, CVNT still rides on a high pedestal in orchestrating an unhinged yet exquisite smorgasbord of ferocious fun, and staging a Fringe-defining, ceremonial celebration of pleasure. I implore you to step into the CVNT’s “queen-dom” with little knowledge, and can guarantee that you will leave feeling looser while more connected to fellow festival folks. Most importantly, I can attest that the show lived up to its name, with more than enough CVNT to go around.
Overall, this was a deliciously cvnty performance from start to finish. Bravo!
CVNT is running until 31 August (not 20, 27) at The Box at Assembly George Square. Buy tickets here.
Images provided by Mobius Industries for press use.
