Original ‘Absinthe’ act cut loose after 14 years in Las Vegas
The muscle of “Absinthe” is bowing out.
Duo Vector, the strength duo of Misha Furmanczyk and Lukasz Szczerba, are leaving the show April 27. Furmanczyk and Szczerba opened with the comedy-circus production in April 2011.
As Duo Vector depart, chair-stack artist Maxim Popazov is the final remaining original performer in the hit Spiegelworld show at Caesars Palace.
Furmanczyk confirmed the decision on Tuesday night, after a meeting that afternoon with production management. The duo had been under a one-year contract, up for renewal in April. The producers chose not to renew. Spiegelworld reps have not returned requests for comment.
The Duo Vector partners have made it clear they will remain an on-stage act. The artists are in talks with producers to continue as a duo, and reviewing opportunities for international festivals.
Looking to the future, Furmanczyk and Szczerba have been working on perfecting the act, with Furmanczyk saying, “We are grateful to the company for giving us a stage to shine for 14 years.”
Duo Vector is an especially popular act “Absinthe.” They arrive to the stage in Secret Service-style black suites and shades, ostensibly as bodyguards for primary character the Gazillionaire.
Gaz tells the crowd the two had been bugging him about performing in the show. “Hopefully, this doesn’t suck,” he says as an intro.
The duo then tear off their suits, stripping to white-and-green workout shorts as the crowd howled. Their series of strength routines, during which Furmanczyk balanced himself as he placed his hand on Szczerba’s head.
Duo Vector’s performance drew consistent standing ovations, and was often a show-closer.
Spiegelworld’s Ross Mollison found the duo in the winter of 2010, as they performed in the prestigious dinner show at Schubecks teatro in in Munich, hosted by the region’s famed chef Alfons Schubeck (Furmanczyk recalls once getting out of a speeding ticket in Munich by dropping Schubeck’s name).
Furmanczyk estimates Duo Vector performed 5,000 shows, though the number is not official. The stage vet says, “We are fully professional, and there is absolutely nothing for us to feel bad about, because we know we’ve done hell of a job.”
Szczerba declined to comment. Furmanczyk praised his longtime stage mate.
“I’m very lucky to have a partner who always supports and motivates me, who has the same determination to achieve our common goals,” Furmanczyk said. “And most importantly, someone I can fully trust. These are the qualities for a true partnership and reason of the great success of our act. So I’m very positive that our next adventure together will be amazing.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
