Absinthe

at Caesars Palace

 

Las Vegas—“Absinthe” is an uneasy blend of terrific variety acts and stag party. This entertainment hybrid takes place in a 600-seat tent in the plaza in front of the entrance to Caesars Palace Hotel. It’s an in-the-round venue that brings viewers close to the acts and, for better or worse, to the X rated humor.

  To dispose of the comedy first, there is an in-your-face master of ceremonies (whose name I didn’t catch, if it was given). The MC is loud and abrasive and his language assays out to about 90% obscenities. The raunchiness is further extended by his female sidekick Penny Pibbets. Between the two they leave no scatological words or images unturned. This isn’t adult comedy in the Lenny Bruce-George Carlin genre, edgy humor with a satirical or social sting. It’s raw stuff for its own sake and one’s reaction is totally a matter of taste, or the lack thereof.

  There is no hypocrisy in “Absinthe.” The show revels in its relentless scatology, wearing its vulgarity like a badge of honor. But let the record show that the large audience whooped and hollered through the entire evening. That audience consisted largely of males and females in their 20’s and 30’s, most of them sounding well served alcoholically. That’s clearly the target audience, so if that fits your profile, enjoy!

The oddest act comes from Angel Porrino, a barely clad young lady who does bizarre and amusing things outside and inside an inflated balloon. Las Vegas shows are awash in tremendous hand balancing acts but none is more fantastic than the strength and intensity and concentration displayed by two men who originally come on stage as bodyguards for the master of ceremonies. The show closes with three men performing at very high risk on a high wire.

     “Absinthe” has become one of the most popular (and lowest priced) shows on the Strip. The extremism of the master of ceremonies and Ms. Pibbets may induce discomfort, or it may carry the audience on a “what the heck this is Las Vegas” high. Some viewers doubtless will cringe but at my performance most of the boisterous audience was having a hoot of a time. Call 800 745 3000.

This show gets a rating of 2 1/2.

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