Feb 26

FRINGE: Spitfire Solo – Higher Ground – 4K

Spitfire Solo is presented by Guy Materson’s Centre for International Theatre is presenting at Higher Ground until the 18th March.

Written and performed by the very talented Nicholas Collett, Spitfire Solo takes us on a journey through the life of Peter Walker, from his early child hood’s unforgettable first flight in Dad’s friend’s Tigermoth, his time with the RAF during the Battle of Britain, meeting his wife Alice, and meeting his granddaughter Amy for the first time in his 80’s at the Silver Birches retirement home.

This amazingly well done solo performance by Nicholas Collett, takes us on an emotional journey, as Peter tells about his adventures as RAF Pilot with his girlfriend the Spitfire flying off into the wild blue yonder and the clear blue sky that stretches away to eternity, that one long adrenalin fuelled high.  Moving back through times in his life as Mr Walker reflects upon days gone past as he enjoys the routine at the retirement home, reminding him of the routines while at the RAF.  Nicholas portrays the character at different ages as Peter reflects upon many moments in his life including the fact that they stopped the invasion but at what cost?’.

An amazingly well performed solo by Nicholas Collett, mixing joyful and sombre emotions as Spitfire pilot Peter Walker reflects on his life’s journey.

Kryztoff Rating   4K


Feb 26

FRINGE – Dave Thornton – The Some of all the Parts – Rhino Room 4.5K

By Fiona Gardner

In Rhino’s basement, David Thorton presents a classic standup comedy, on a small stage with a traditional red curtain. This homegrown comedian produces a light act comedy. Using boundless Australian references, David takes you on a journey through his fears of making comedy for the youth of today.

Dave Thorton brings the audience to laughter within minutes, which continues throughout the show. This refreshing witty act, which composes of a serious of events that displays his stupidity in his youth, to his intelligence of today. With his personality seems constantly on edge, David share’s his natural anxieties and personal experiences.

If you are looking for a genuine talent, David Thorton is here. His act is without unnecessary profanity and attacks on minority groups. Dave keeps it real in a good old Aussie way; a true rebel at heart, Dave Thorton produces a sincere comedy act!


Kryztoff Rating     4.5K

Feb 25

FRINGE: Belt Up Theatre’s The Boy James – AC ARTS – 4.5K

Greeted by a young, excitable boy in striped pyjamas and led into the plush, dreamlike surroundings of Belt Up Theatre’s performance space, you can tell that this is going to be a unique experience. Once everyone is sitting comfortably (though watch out, if the audience is big enough, some of the seating will be on cushions on the ground) the childlike atmosphere is enhanced by some fun games and the promise of an adventure once James arrives. A girl also emerges, invited by The Boy to come along.

Once James eventually appears however, it becomes apparent that the evening is not going to proceed as planned. Into this world of innocence and joy comes a tension which is profound yet ambiguous, threatening to tear the space apart. Adult vices – alcohol, sex, bad language – infiltrate, and devour the purity, as The Boy tries desperately to stop this wave of destruction. You are not separated from the action, there is no forth wall. The characters acknowledge your presence and draw you in to become a part of the story.

Under the direction of Dominic Allen, the trio of actors create an intense dynamic, as relationships change and control shifts from one to another. As James, Allen is a mysterious, desperate figure, who seems sadly resigned to his fate, while Serena Manteghi delicately balances innocence, cruelty, vulnerability and ambivalence in her portrayal of The Girl. Embodying the naïve boy, Jethro Compton is mesmerising in an emotional and compelling performance in which there are no holds barred as he shows you his despair and loss. This is a powerful and affecting show, the themes and feeling of which draw you in and pierce your core.

Kryztoff rating: 4.5K

Feb 25

FRINGE: Belt Up Theatre’s Outland – AC ARTS – 5K

From the moment you enter the space created by Belt Up Theatre, there is a feeling of enchantment. It is an incredibly intimate and intricate venue, designed as a drawing room from times gone by. As an audience, there is no strict divide between you and the performance; you are just barely outside of the action – until you get invited to join in. Blending the life of author Lewis Carroll with a condensed version of his story Sylvie and Bruno, this piece captures the absurdity of his writing, the nostalgia for childhood which sits at the back of your consciousness, and the magical spark that can only be created by live theatre.

At the heart of the story is Charles, a man for whom the fine line between reality and imagination, which has served him so well throughout his life, is gradually fading. He has gone to visit Arthur and Murial, two young friends who, as children, accompanied him on journeys into the realms of fantasy and absurdity in the kingdom of Outland. While the jolly adventures of creative imagination sweep the characters along, the harsh realities of life are ever present, as Charles’ health continues to deteriorate.

The performances are exquisite, with the actors shifting deftly between their multiple roles and multiple realities. Jethro Compton and Serena Manteghi are an endearing young couple as Murial and Arthur, while also inhabiting fully the joyful and childlike characters of Sylvie and Bruno and the ridiculous baddies of Fairyland, Tabikat and Sibimet. As Lewis/Charles, writer Dominic Allen creates a haunted, manic figure who delights you with his storytelling, while his descent into illness breaks your heart.

This is a piece which will excite, delight, bemuse and amaze. Allow yourself to let go and experience the magical world that is Outland.

Kryztoff rating: 5K

Feb 25

FRINGE – Guilt Ridden Sociopath – Byron Bertram – Gluttony – 3K

By Sam Turner

In the far reaches of Gluttony in the cosy Lo fi tent Canadian stand up Byron Bertram is plying his trade for the next fortnight.  Last night was the first of Byron’s show Guilt Ridden Sociopath.  The quaint tent offered an oasis for opening night fringers with carnage ensuing on the streets of Adelaide with drunken teenagers and mulleted bogans taking full advantage of first night festivities.  However, the peacefulness of the venue  did little for the stand-up’s nerves.

Although it was obvious Bertram has some good material and lots of talent he failed to hit his stride last night.  It was a frustrating night for the Canuck but the comic’s flair for accents and character comedy will hopefully see his show mature as the festival goes on.  Although a much-needed connection was never really established between the performer and audience, Bertram did draw some big laughs from his jokes about his desperate love life, misfiring friends (catch phrase ‘high five!’ proved to have some mileage) and Scandinavian pornography.   It was from these tales and observations on cultural differences that Bertram drew most of his material and this sometimes hit (the unintelligible Scottish man offering a joke, the Danish compere’s introduction) but often missed (nearly all the Australian material) Tellingly, Bertram was funniest when he seemed to go off-script and banter with the crowd, however the show didn’t seem to have the structure for him to comfortably do this for any length of time.

Opening night nerves can be forgiven let’s hope he fulfils his potential.  Bertram is in Lo fi until 5 March.

Kryztoff Rating 3K

Feb 24

FRINGE – Seven Kilometers North-East – AC Arts – 4.5K

By Fiona Gardner

Kym Vercoe, monologue is from her true discoveries in IVO Andric. She displays the stillness, scenery, her love for coffee and music. She shares an experience in what most travelers think that they could relate to in a foreign country.

Kym’s deep heartfelt experience in her discoveries draws her audience in. This is a must see show, revealing histories and beautiful sceneries.  Kym’s journey delivering an emotional twist on the history that anyone over the age of 30 may have some relocation of.

For those who are unaware of the war in the 1990’s against the Muslims including Slovenia and the Bosnia’s, this is a terrific piece of theatre demonstrating a slice of history.  Like Kym, this is a discovery that will make you question human kind, the present, the past and the future.

For me she displays perfectly in the misconception of understanding in what another face may have endured. The twist behind the mind, questions behind your own thoughts and perception.

Kryztoff Rating    4.5K

Feb 24

FRINGE – Tom Ballard – Rhino Room – 4K

It is pleasing that amidst the great cynicism about the interest of Australia’ s youth in national affairs, there is one 22 year old who not only gets off on politics but is also very funny about it. Not that events of recent days (or months for that matter) on the national stage do not offer every household hours of laugh out loud material every night, but Tom Ballard, JJJ star etc, is that man and he is great.

The trick to good political humour is to go into subjects of interest without raising the hackles of some portion of their audience to the point where they think you some loud mouth, snotty nosed jerk who wouldn’t know if his arse is on fire. Because then, bit by bit, you quickly alientate everyone. Again (for the most part – see later) Ballard has that knack.

As Tom pointed out, Kevin 07 in hindsight was all terribly silly and now something one doesn’t want to much talk about. But when you can combine great jokes about that, Tim Allen, Ocean’s 12 and the last gasps of the western black rhino you know you have an artist who can get you to suppress their prejudices and lift the air. Being present for the intellectual muscle of our own Occupy Adelaide movement last year meant Tom could round off a great first 45 minutes.

Of course, there is one subject that is dear to his heart, gay marriage, and although Ballard kept it relatively breezy his choice of his last two jokes would probably have played better to an Oxford St nightclub crowd than the rather broader cross section of the community that ventured to the Rhino Room last night.

Still, who am I from the 9th row to pass harsh judgment on a bad choice or two? Having seen Ballard at Feast eighteen months ago, it is clear this young comedian is only getting better, with an intellectual quotient to his humour that seriously raises him above the standard stand up comedian. Embrace Tom while he is here.

Kryztoff Rating  4K

Feb 23

FRINGE: The Disappearances Project – Theatre – AC ARTS – 3K

By Miriam Keane

On an almost bare stage, two people sit facing the audience. Behind them, a screen lights up and a video (director Yana Taylor) rolls. We are taken through the streets of an unknown town, driving with no particular destination, just watching (maybe not great for those who suffer from motion sickness). An accompanying soundscape (composer Paul Prestipino) creates a feeling of disconnection, like you’re observing all of this from underwater. Immersed in this altered reality, the performers (Irving Gregory and Yana Taylor), add to the mix the voices of those who have been left behind.

The Disappearances Project, from Version 1.0, is a mixed media presentation and, despite being classified under the title in the Fringe Guide, does not fit readily into the category that many people would term “theatre”. At times it is like watching a research paper – which is what this project essentially is. It is the presentation on stage, of comments made by people who have been interviewed on a particular theme, the disappearance of someone they know.

The two presenters slip between stories, layering the experiences on top of one another to create a picture of what it’s like to have someone vanish from your life, with no answers as to what has happened. The information moves logically through time – from the initial shock, through the practical impact and onto the uncertain future – and creates a holistic sense of the experience. While the clinical recitation of the stories added to the feeling of disconnection and the impression that they all came together in one overall experience, the lack of emotion and variation in delivery did feel dull at times.

The Disappearances Project was certainly intellectually engaging, but it would be a stretch to define it as entertaining. If you’re up for a bit of deep thought and want to learn more about the subject matter though, it’s a good way to do so.

KRYZTOFF RATING: 3K

Feb 22

FRINGE – Tom Binns as Ian D. Montfort – The Garden – 4K

Tom Binns as Ian D. Montfort – Garden of Unearthly Delights

Tom Binns show Ian D. Montfort  Spirit Comedium has received many soaring reviews and awards internationally and brings it back to the Adelaide Fringe again this year for us to enjoy until 17th March, nightly at 8:15pm.

Tom describes his show of a hybrid between Derren Brown and Tommy Cooper, he says “I wanted to do a cross between Derren Brown and Tommy Cooper and make the kind of magic that Derren Brown does funny.  Derren’s very funny as well, but you know what I mean – proper Tommy Cooper-style funny.”

Tom sure had the audience in stitches with his very unusual spirit messages. Some might think it’s real metaphysical magic others my think the audience participant played along well. Yet all were truly entertained and then amazed by Tom’s picture reading ability. Did some misfire? Well the finale sure showed those who didn’t seem to play along with it.

Very clever and entertaining, highly recommended, no matter if you are a believer or cynic.

Kryztoff Rating   4K

Feb 22

FRINGE – Tommy Little – A Fistful of Apologies – The Garden – Spare Room – 3K

If all the Fringe means to you is comedy shows at the Garden, then you could do a lot worse that Tommy Little. The instantly likeable and engaging 26 year old Little takes you on a tour of his world, from the gym to Facebook via lessons on life like the realities of everything we do (the search for ‘showing bits’) and have always done and the dawning on us of the foibles of our parents.

He wants to be rich and famous and otherwise the extent of the subject matter is pretty much as you would expect from a white, middle class, middle twenties, single guy – no great advances on the world around us there, though the social comment around Penny Wong and gay marriage all got a little confused and bit out of place.

But heck, he’s good looking, happy, confident and he makes you laugh. Have a few drinks before the show and you would leave a very happy vegemite (but not in the Kevin Rudd style.)

Kryztoff Rating  3K