Adelaide Fringe 2013 – The Good, the Bad and the Ethnic – The Arkaba

If you come from an ethnic background, have a partner who comes from an ethnic background or have ever met somebody from an ethnic background, then you will surely find this show hilarious.

Featuring internationally acclaimed Joe Avati, Tahir and Rob Shehadie (both from side-splitting TV show Fat Pizza) and Greek American comedian Basile, this variety show of stand-up comedy, skits and even some very special film clips is a highly entertaining two hour performance, which is utterly side-splitting.

While some of the jokes are surely funnier if you do have a terrifying nonna or yia yia, or indeed if you can speak Arabic, Greek or Italian, this is a great way to spend an evening. A word of warning – make sure you arrive early enough to get a good seat.

4.5K

ADELAIDE FRINGE 2013 – Windy the Wombat in ‘There’s No Place like Home’ – Carrick Hill

Last year, I took my kids to go and see Fairies are Saving The Planet, a prequel by On the Fly Impro featuring, amongst other characters, the gorgeous, naive – and smelly – Windy the Wombat. Given the enormous turnout of children and parents on this occasion, I was disappointed (but not overly surprised given the heat) by the tiny audience.

The small crowd was particularly unfortunate because this really is an absolutely enchanting show. Windy’s desire to be in The City, despite his family’s objections, sees the young wombat run away and encounter all manner of dangers and misfortune for which he is not prepared  and which quickly make him wish that he was back in the bush with his family and friends.

Although the show is marketed for 5 – 12 year olds, I would probably suggest that its target market is more suited for three to eight year olds. In any event, from a parent’s perspective this is pretty much the perfect show – imaginative, simple, with strong messages for young children and using skilful and highly entertaining characterisation. The talented cast of only three performers belies the number of characters which are on show. Particular kudos to Jarrad Parker’s smarmy, sarcastic alleycat, Teresa de Gennaro’s excitable but devious poodle and of course Melissa Eccleston as Windy.

If you have young kids, make this a show that you see during the Fringe – and take in the beautiful surroundings of Carrick Hill.

‘I loved every single bit so much’ – Anais, 4 years old

4.5K

FRINGE 2013: Theatre – Bane – Tuxedo Cat – 4.5K

A mysterious man is killing the friends and acquaintances of hit man Bruce Bane. While Bane is no stranger to enemies, having found himself on the opposite side of a feud to many an unsavoury character over the years, he’s at a loss to determine who this current adversary is. As the bodies pile up though, he must press on to discover the identity of the mysterious assassin and try to avenge the deaths of those he held dearest.

The script is gold. Writer and performer Joe Bone has created a title character that is both a villain and a hero. While some of his behaviour is abhorrent you also can’t help but like him. Of course, it’s not just Bane that Bone inhabits. There are a series of other characters – most with wonderfully outrageous accents – who pop up for various periods of time. Bane declares that he takes no prisoners and it’s soon clear that this is true. My advice: don’t get too attached to any of the characters. It’s like Quentin Tarantino and Seth MacFarlane got together to create a noir theatre show; horribly gruesome deaths are mixed with hilarious one-liners, adults only scenes and childish absurdity.

Despite spending the hour in a coat that must make consciousness tricky in the Adelaide summer heat, let alone putting energy into a one man show, Bone does not falter. Every transition is smooth, every character injected with energy. In addition, he provides sound effects throughout which really add to the feel of the show. Also onstage the whole time, giving live musical accompaniment, is Ben Roe. Roe shows some impressive skills on the guitar and this really completes the experience.

These two great performers provide a fantastic evening of entertainment.

Kryztoff Rating: 4.5K

Altar Ego, The Bakehouse Theatre 4K

What truly governs a relationship? Is it honestly a series of decisions made equally by two people thinking rationally? Altar Ego is a play about seven characters, each who views marriage, love and monogamy differently. Can any portrayal be any less true or real than any other? The first half hour of the play fills you with melancholy and fear for any future marriage or long term relationship, but the characters continue and the stories become more optimistic and raw. By the end you are left speechless, questioning every piece of knowledge of monogamy you have been taught.

Throughout the play there is laughter, it is undeniably hilarious. However there is a darkness to the script, a shadow to the laughter which prods you into curiosity. Altar Ego tackles the issue of marriage head on, in such simple, straight forward style. This is what is so consuming, you feel drawn into the world of these characters, so accurately played by (ironically) husband and wife, Melanie Lyons and Jimmy Lyons. Each world, despite lasting less than fifteen minutes is captivating and enthralling. The humour, the tone and the tense make it feel like a drunken confession of a long standing close friend.

“Who does the PR for marriage?” asks one character “It has a 55% chance of failure, if that was any other product it would have been pulled from the shelves years ago.” A resounding statement which is said earnestly, a statement which brings to light a serious question of current social standings. Why is marriage the upmost pinnacle of relationships and why do we wholeheartedly believe in it? Altar Ego leaves you with a smile on your face and a question in your throat.

4 K

Kids Fringe Come and Try – 111 Franklin St – 3.5K

By Fiona Gardner
Located at the old bus depot at 111 Franklin Street, Kids Fringe Come and Try has lots of fun activities! I took my 3-year-old niece and she had the most fun with her first Kinderchef experience. After banging on their bowls, annoying the parents and majority of the other participants, they were able to continue on with making their fruit chocolate balls. At Kinderchefs, the kids were encouraged to explore the different ingredients textures. The theme of this cooking experience was of a coconut, which Michelle encourages in all her Kinderchef courses, “to help children appreciate the food we focus on, enhancing the senses to develop a larger scoop of food.’
The second highlight for my niece was the blue tongue lizards and the frogs that the Zookeepers allowed you to touch. We even received a free child entry to the Adelaide Zoo. They also had musical instrument making and some lunch time snakes for only $5!!! Even though the rain made the turn out for this event a bit low on numbers there was so many things to participate in that it was absolutely a delightful event.
The only downfall was for the really hangover clown, although I think that the kids were totally oblivious to that type of clowning experience. There were also lots of time for interacting by painting pictures on paper, on masks and even having getting your face painted. There were so many activities programmed for the youngsters, so I am sure you will be able to spend more time exploring and finding new and exciting things every day that this event is on.
$15 dollar entry fee for kids and free for accompany adults
Kryztoff Rating   3.5K

FRINGE 2013 – Alex Williamson & Friends – 4K

By Anthony Nguyen

Also known as ‘shooterwilliamson’ on YouTube with over 20 million views on his videos, upcoming Australian stand-up comedian Alex Williamson (a.k.a. the Loosest Aussie Bloke) rolls into the Adelaide Fringe this year with the uproariously crude humour-based show, Alex Williamson and Friends.

Although no particular topic or theme in the show, Williamson jests the audience with random stories ranging from his time living in the USA to his experiences with girls, including adventures at Comic-Con and interviewing celebrities.

Accompanying the show throughout, were some videos filmed by Williamson titled ‘Festie Heads’ which are not yet uploaded on his YouTube account. Williamson also displayed skills with the keyboard and did a few musical performances, incorporating hilarious lyrics revolving drugs, booty calls, and his somewhat rebellious lifestyle.

The show features extremely high coarse language and a multitude of raw sexually-based humour and jokes which will not suit the innocent-minded or the faint of heart, so be sure to leave the kids at home. Yet through his highly-rated adult material, Williamson will surely leave you laughing with his content that you would not see many other comedians dare say.

Unfortunately, all shows are all finished for the Adelaide Fringe this year, but with all the positive reviews and reception from the show-goers, it will be a surprise if Alex Williamson does not return to the Fringe next year. In the meantime, you can still watch his videos with all his comedic charm on YouTube.

 

Kryztoff Rating: 4K

FRINGE – Comedy Hypnosis! A World of Enchantment – The Gov – 4K

Isaac Lomman, Adelaide’s only Comedy Stage Hypnotist, takes the audience on a mesmerizing journey into a world of enchantment. Real Hypnosis with real volunteers and real good fun opening to a full house at The Gov.

What makes this show so interactive is that it is based completely on audience participation. Thoroughly entertaining the audience, the volunteers on stage, who might actually be having even more fun as they are taken onto a holiday on a tropical island just to find that the temperature is playing havoc. Kangaroo races, pet spiders, forgetting names & numbers as well as some perplexing magic and mind reading  keeps the crowd hilariously entertained all way through as Isaac has more and more unbelievable sketches up his sleeve.

Still showing 25, 26, 27 & 29 February with the Wednesday show at 11am at Star Theatres – Theatre 1. An entertaining show for the whole family.

http://www.isaaclomman.com/

Kryztoff Rating   4K

God of Carnage – Stirling Players – Til 9 March – 4K

By Peter Maddern

Yasmin Reza’s examination of the modern human condition, particularly our tendency to destroy ourselves and each other, is a searing and funny affair. Just how getting two sets of parents together to discuss a school yard fight between their 11 year old sons could degenerate into such a God awful mess is not obvious, yet every twist and turn will be immediately recognisable to the majority of wel- off parents who have in many ways lost the plot (even if, of course, the problem lies elsewhere.)

This award winning play was first produced in Adelaide by the State Theatre Company in 2010 but any who saw that production ought not fall into the trap of ‘been there done that’ or how could an amateur theatre group match the STC.

All four members of the cast do an excellent job, increasingly so as the mania and the alcohol kick in big time. Their timing is perfect and the increasing obsession with their own positions on the topic and a host of others arise is all too real. If anything the last minutes are better done here than at the Playhouse 30 months ago. The staging is well done though perhaps the couch, the centre of most the shenanigans, is placed a tad too far back on the stage.

All in all, a fabulous play given its full opportunity to amuse and shock in equal portions by a fine and dedicated cast. A worthwhile venture beyond the Fringe to the Hills.

Kryztoff Rating   4K

FRINGE TICKET BINGE – Thursday & Dead Ones – WIN TIX

Well, that’s week one under our belts. So our free tickets this week kick off with tickets to the following two great shows:

TWO DOUBLE PASSES TO EACH OF:

THURSDAY – PREVIEW – TUESDAY 26TH FEB – 8PM – NORWOOD CONCERT HALL

Brink Productions has teamed up with the English Touring Company in this powerful new collaboration where the story of Adelaide woman Gill Hicks, who lost her legs in the 2005 London bombings, layers dreams with reality, compassion with devastation to build a deeply woven picture of humanity. This show seems likely to be a highlihgt of this year’s Festival of Arts.

THE DEAD ONES – WEDNESDAY 27TH FEB – 7PM – MIGRATION MUSEUM

Maggie Fischer’s solo show explores death, memory, family and the power of objects through story-telling and photography.

TO WIN, JUST WATCH THE SECOND EPISODE OF ADELAIDE’S NEWEST COMEDY WEB SERIES – SECRET MEN’S BUSINESS – AND ANSWER THIS QUESTION:

CLICK HERE FOR SECRET MEN’S BUSINESS

What is the nickname of Spaz’s mother?

Then email us at editor@kryztoff.com.

Entries go into a draw tonight at midnight.

Winners advised by email tomorrow.

FRINGE 2013: Theatre – Agnes of God – Holden Street – 3K

Following the death of a baby, born to a novice nun in a convent, Dr Martha Livingstone (Nicole Rutty) is brought in by the court to ascertain whether young Sister Agnes (Michaela Burger), who claims to have no knowledge of having born the child, is sane and should face charges of murder. Agnes is a shy, frightened and pious girl, who spends most of her time singing beautiful, ethereal hymns which Dr Livingstone finds peculiarly enchanting. The Mother Superior of the convent, Miriam Ruth (Kathy Fisher), who is also obsessed with Agnes’ singing, is convinced of her innocence, with regards to both the death of the baby and life in general. She and Livingstone clash as their opposing views of faith, life, sanity and science are brought to the forefront by Agnes’ story.

Burger is the standout performer as Agnes. She is believably innocent and disturbed and her singing voice never wavers, providing an aptly angelic sound to enthral the other characters. In contrast to Agnes’s delicacy, the characters of Miriam Ruth and Dr Livingstone are strong and in control. Fisher creates a Mother Superior who is nicely obstinate but also caring. Livingstone is the character with potentially the greatest emotional journey in the piece but Rutty seems too dispassionate at times to truly bring this to life. There is not enough light and shade to her delivery to show the conflicting internal experience of the doctor. All three actors suffer from lack of projection at times, lighting spots are missed and lines stumbled over. However, these latter issues should tighten up as the run proceeds.

Originally written in 1979, director Shona Benson has updated several aspects of the script (use of emails, mobile phones, etc) to bring it into the 21st century. While this shows the remaining relevance of the play to today’s world, it also means that the lack of some modern practices – the use of DNA evidence, the complete disregard of doctor/patient confidentiality – jar in comparison. The set, as with most productions in this venue, is basic. Red rose petals are sprinkled across the front of the stage, providing a nicely symbolic allusion to Agnes’ destroyed innocence, with the vivid colour picking up the theme of blood running throughout the text. Lighting is used well to add mood to the more intense scenes and differentiate the memory sequences from the action in the doctor’s office.

While there are a few areas that need a touch of polish, the overall production is a good one and the play itself is interesting and will captivate many.

Kryztoff Rating: 3K