By Anthony Nguyen
Dressed in brightly coloured, tight-fitting activewear, Lisa-Marie Ryan represents the modern woman (and man) who has a complicated love-hate relationship with going to the gym. Ryan’s one-woman cabaret show, befittingly titled Gym Junkie, presents a hilarious 12-step guide to help start your gym experience; going through all topics from workout clothes to awkward exercises and struggles with your diet.
Ryan comprehensively goes through many amusing points including: the cost of expensive Lorna Jane workout clothes, turning your bum to an arse, evil personal trainers, and the struggle with waking up in the morning to go to the gym. A highlight was when Ryan comically describes her observations of the different types of people you would meet at the gym such as the loud bodybuilders, overly affectionate couples, and girls with too much make up.
Being a cabaret show, music was incorporated into the show featuring Ryan’s amazing vocals which highlight her musical theatre background. Only short segments of each song were performed usually between dialogue, which was structured and executed well in adding to the story and keeping the audience’s attention. Assisted onstage only by pianist/backup singer Mark Stefanoff, Ryan performs over 10 songs that are cleverly selected to suit the gym-inspired story such as Olivia Newton John’s ‘Physical’, Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Stronger’ and even more current hits such as Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’. The lyrics are cleverly rewritten to suit the gym and exercise theme, with one amusing example being The Weeknd’s ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ which had been hilariously rewritten to ‘Can’t Feel My Legs’.
Lisa-Marie Ryan is an outstanding vocal talent with a flair for real life humour. Gym Junkie is a show that reminds you on why you hate going to the gym, yet you’re always addicted to being there and working out. Located at the La Boheme, Lisa-Marie continues her entertaining workout of a show until February 28th.
Kryztoff Rating: 4K
Recent Comments