All Irish Street Showcase – A Trio of Reviews

Logy on Fire

I thought I was going to watch a street show with a fire breather. Instead, I spent almost an hour laughing.

Logy takes over one of Tallinn’s main squares, surrounded by cobblestones and the medieval atmosphere of the Old Town, and the setting couldn’t be more perfect for his show.

Audience interaction is at the heart of the performance. He keeps people involved from beginning to end, and his jokes land just as well as his juggling. The show builds gradually, starting with what seems like something as simple as wooden bricks, but even then, Logy already has the presence to make it entertaining.

And then there’s Logy himself. With his blue hair, impressive beard and unmistakably unconventional style, he is impossible to miss. His look fits his personality and the playful energy of the show perfectly.

Then comes the part everyone is waiting for: fire. And not just fire, but a Guinness World Record-holding rolla bolla performance on Tallinn’s uneven cobblestones, while juggling fire and some seriously dangerous-looking objects.

By that point, the crowd surrounding him was huge, and the applause was just as big.

What could have been “just another fire show” turned into a genuinely funny, highly interactive and beautifully paced performance.

A great street show, and a very good way to spend an hour in Tallinn.

Missy Impossible

Tallinn’s medieval Old Town makes a pretty spectacular backdrop for Missy Impossible.

With her bright pink hair, streetwear-inspired look and huge smile, Missy immediately catches your attention. But it’s her energy that really pulls you in. She starts interacting with the audience from the very beginning, and you quickly realise that getting people involved is one of her strongest skills.

She doesn’t just ask for volunteers and hope for the best. She knows how to approach people, make them laugh and put them at ease before bringing them into the spotlight. The very first joke involving an audience member and a cucumber had me laughing straight away.

The music is also really well chosen, adding to the rhythm and energy of the different acts.

As the show progresses, the crowd around her keeps growing. People stop to watch, stay for the next act, and before long the square is packed with people clapping, laughing and waiting to see what she’ll attempt next.

And there’s plenty to keep them watching. The apple-throwing act, with the apples landing on fakir spikes, is brilliantly orchestrated.

Then comes the sword swallowing. It looks so natural and effortless that, for a second, I genuinely found myself wondering if she had actually swallowed the sword. It was that convincing!

Between the stunts, the comedy and the constant interaction with the audience, the show never loses its momentum. Missy has a real talent for making people feel comfortable enough to participate, while keeping the whole crowd entertained.

There’s also a clear message underneath the spectacle about courage and encouraging women and girls to believe that they can do things that seem impossible.

A lively, funny and highly interactive street show where the audience is just as much a part of the experience as the performer. By the end, the square feels less like a crowd of strangers and more like one big audience cheering Missy on.

Cathy’s Céilí

On one of Tallinn’s main squares, surrounded by cobblestones and the medieval charm of the Old Town, Cathy’s Céilí turns the street into a dance floor.

The show begins with Cathy introducing the audience to a few traditional Irish dance steps. What starts as a demonstration quickly becomes something much more interactive, with children joining in, dancing alongside her and getting the crowd involved.

The second performer brings another layer to the show, with a playful and comedic exchange between the two that keeps the atmosphere light and energetic.

But the real point of Cathy’s Céilí is not to sit back and watch. It’s to take part.

As the show progresses, more and more people from the audience are invited to join the dance. By the end, the boundary between performers and spectators has pretty much disappeared, with a whole group dancing together and finishing with everyone clapping along.

It’s joyful, welcoming and very easy to join, even if Irish dancing isn’t exactly your usual thing. The medieval setting of Tallinn’s Old Town adds plenty of charm to the whole experience, making the square feel like a spontaneous little Irish gathering in the middle of the city.

A feel-good show that does exactly what it sets out to do: bring people together, get them moving, and leave the crowd in a good mood.

The Tallinn Fringe Festival continues until 18 September.

Author: Hélène