Mar 14

FRINGE MUSIC – Louise & Sally on Tin Pan Alley – Queen’s Theatre – Kryztoff 5K

 

scaled_low-res-LouiseSally-800x800Alexander Ewers

Louise Page has a voice that almost defies description. The moment she utters her first words of introduction, any uncertainty about “Louise & Sally on Tin Pan Alley” is definitively laid to rest. There is a timbre about the spoken word that promises magic in song, and Louise does not disappoint. In every aspect Page’s peer as artist and musician, Sally Greenaway delivers a piano performance worthy of the jazz halls of bygone eras. The term accompanist would be insulting – compositional and musical virtuoso is perhaps a more appropriate title.

West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Manhattan, New York – aka Tin Pan Alley. “Louise & Sally on Tin Pan Alley” pays tribute to the golden era of early 20th Century jazz, blues and swing, but also transports one directly to the creative heart of this movement. With renditions of Cole Porter, Scott Joplin, George Gershwin and referencing innumerable other icons of both genre and era, Louise and Sally retell the birth and evolution of the music that defined a generation and still resonates today. Both of these artists deliver a tour de force in their own right. Each could (and at times does) command and enchant as solo performer. Together, a conversation unfolds on stage, with spine-tingling vocals answered and matched, complemented and even rivalled by an exultant, dancing instrumentation that marries Bach with Greenaway originals, and Gershwin with Judy Garland’s “Song of the Century”. The resultant jazz-classical fusion is a paradisiacal ecstasy of experience – “got rhythm; got music …. who could ask for anything more?”

Allow the reviewer the indulgence of mentioning a couple of lasting personal impressions. Sally Greenaway caressing improbable variety of depth and tone from the ivory keys of the grand piano, effortlessly transitioning between nonchalant improv and classical motifs. Louise Page – statuesque, every movement and expression weighted, poised. Transcendent vocals, evoking the nostalgic and the sultry, an incredible power finessed from both extremes of register but perfectly balanced by commensurate control.

Page and Greenaway are artists of such sublime and superlative calibre, that this reviewer feels it irreverent to attempt a full dissection of either’s virtuosity. Their litany of individual achievements and awards speaks for itself. The performance provides a smorgasbord of heartfelt moments – frissons of tingling delight, moments adrift in poignant solitude, surging compulsions to dance, ripples of collective and communal pleasure. It is a rhapsody, painted not just in blue, but in all the colours and the language of the soul.

One leaves the embrace of Queen’s Theatre, Playhouse Lane feeling satiated. Sated on happiness and emotion and music, and yet at the same time hungering with newfound appetite for more of Louise and Sally, and for more of Tin Pan Alley. Not just for jazz aficionados, anyone with an appreciation for music should come, drink, and drink deeply!

Kryztoff 5K

Mar 14

FRINGE 2018 – MUSIC – Stravinsky & Chanel – National Wine Centre – 4.5K

Emma Knights Productions presents this hour-long journey of a preview to the rumoured love affair of two undeniable icons that revolutionised their respective fields. Igor Stravinsky and Coco Chanel’s influence on each other lives and the world truly echo to this day. With those echoes, this performance has portrayed it very well with the intertwining of the Chanel No 5’s signature scent lurked in the midst of the melodies of Rite of Spring.

An enchanting serenade that has truly encapsulated the essence of the era. The singing was very alluring and stupefying at the same time. The performers were on point with their musical abilities whether it was on the clarinet or the keys. Definitely mastered very well and no note that was played incorrectly.

Truly a captivating affair, with or without the pun intended. Absolutely delightful. Kudos!

 

Kryztoff Rating 4.5K

Mar 13

FRINGE 2018 – COMEDY – Amos Gill – Where Have I Been All Your Life? – RHINO ROOM – 4K

By Olivia Henry.

You might recognise Adelaide’s Amos Gill from hit107, ABCTV’s All Star Comedy Gala or even Just For Laughs. However, if you’ve never seen him live, his new show is Amos as you’ve never seen him before.

 

The radio star’s gift of the gab translates well to the stage. He takes the audience on a wild ride through his past few relationships that will leave you laughing, cringing and letting out sympathetic sighs left, right and centre. This one-hour stand up show at the Adelaide Fringe is raw, unfiltered and unapologetic; you’re not going to hear these stories on breakfast radio.

 

Perfect for the 20-something year old, Amos’ material says what we’re all thinking… and some things we’re definitely not thinking. With this in mind, Where Have I Been All Your Life is not for the faint-hearted. Amos covers his love life in very intimate detail, his wild travels and life as an Adelaide boy.

 

You’ll leave with mixed emotions. Being single is fun! But also, it sucks. And who is this ‘X’ he keeps talking about? We do NOT like her and we need answers!

 

You can catch Amos at the Rhino Room and Gluttony until March 18. Tickets are selling out fast, so get yours here.

4K.

Mar 12

FRINGE 2018 – Music – “One Wild Night: The Australian Bon Jovi show” – The Arkaba – 4.5K

By Julia Cudsi

A tribute show is something of a known quantity – you go in living on a prayer that you will  hear your favourite songs and hoping that the tribute artist treats your favourite star and their music with respect without giving them a bad name.

And that is precisely what “One Wild Night” did with their Bon Jovi show. Playing everybody’s favourite hits from the atmospheric top of the Arkaba, Tib Horvath transformed into Jon Bon Jovi and performed hits which were true to the original, from the dramatic “Bed of Roses”  to the anthemic “It’s My Life”, and all of the other hits in between.

Playing to a large crowd of obviously diehard fans of Bon Jovi, this show was, indeed, if not necessarily a wild night, then at least a great night out.

4.5K

 

 

Mar 12

Fringe 2018: Undercover Refugee – 4K – The Producers

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Sit back as Karen and David take you through a lighthearted, yet very real, tale of Karen’s work with Syrian refugees in Lesbos, and in transit across Europe into Germany.

Part theatre, part comedy, Karen weaves a tale of the social media obsessed volunteers, kindhearted refugees, mafia bosses, and sleazy and racist policemen that she came across during her time as a documentary filmmaker. Making their way from Greece to Germany, Karen notices the different treatment she receives from those she encounters compared to her Syrian friends, the sway her Norwegian citizenship has amongst her fellow Europeans, and how she ended up with far more friends than she ever imagined.

Both actors are charming, with a guileless enthusiasm that infects the audience. You leave their show feeling emboldened to be kinder, try harder, be more accepting and open to other perspectives. Karen’s charm and David’s energy help keep the show entertaining, and a clever mix of video and storytelling helps reinforce the show’s message – in fact, the show would have served better with an ending of a video or montage, instead of a step-by-step walkthrough of the ending images.

The show needs a little polishing, and a better room choice at the Producers, but it is nonetheless a great show with a lot of heart.

Kryztoff rating: 4K

Mar 12

FRINGE 2018 – Comedy/Improv – Unplotted Potter – Tandanya – 4K

By Julia Cudsi

Another Fringe staple for repeat attendees, Unplotted Potter is the brainchild of local improv troupe Scriptease.

As the title suggests, this show is one for the Harry Potter fans – each night, an extremely minor character from the Potterverse is selected (via the scientific process of a name drawn from a hat and audience applause) and the entire show is improvised around that character. For Saturday’s show, this character was Madam Malkin, a squat, kindly witch whose greatest dream was to run a robe shop on Diagon Alley. As is typically the case with improvised theatre, murder and mayhem ensued – along with a great deal of hilarity.

Although this show is (accurately) billed as being all about Potter, that does not diminish the enjoyment factor for those few who, like myself, are not fans of JK Rowling’s work. If you are looking for a fun night out with some friends enjoying some fantastic local talent, then you can’t go wrong with Unplotted Potter.

4K

Mar 12

FRINGE 2018 – PETER DOBBING: PLEASED WITH YOURSELF ISN’T THE SAME AS BEING HAPPY – 3K

by Riccardo Barone

scaled_Peter_Dobbing_pleased_with_NEW_IMAGE

“You’re both wearing the same shirt! Now they’re gonna exchange Bitcoins under the table, furtively…”
Tech-no-logic topics, digital misfunctions, scars left from modern embarassments.
We are facing how challenging is our daily life surrounded by iphones, smart watches and micro laptops.
The comedian Peter Dobbing energetically describes the way we have become but..wait! Bitcoins? The topic has been very present in the show, as to remind everyone: Be carerful! Update your self.

If you saw his street performances you already know how much he gets the audience involved, overall when he jumps on a suspended ladder but it couldn’t happen for lack of space.

Noticeble endurance, considering the lengthy time of an hour show.
The small amount of people coming  was not so fully corrisponding the cheerful mood in the Gluttony’s Bally.
The audience was more stimulated when an interaction with itself was in place, which it really didn’t take long to take a laugh away.

RB: Which comedian influences you the most?
PD: Stuart Lee. But everyone says Stuart Lee. And Simon Munnery.

Kryztoff rating 3K

Mar 11

FRINGE 2018 – CABARET – Hot Mamas – La Boheme – 3K

It is very apparent that this ex-burly duo, Chrissie and Liz are true hot mamas. Their stage appeal has not been discounted not because the are now mothers. Very captivating and charismatic.

The show takes you along on their journey of becoming hot mamas. The ups and down of pregnancy that were celebrated on a humorous take. It was a very interactive show where the audience can take part of the comedy skits. The hot mamas also danced around the whole room which was good to a sense, but it meant that they’d be sometimes in the dark and it would be usually hard to see them from different angles. The performers were often distracted and it was quite distracting to watch as well. There didn’t seem to be a dressing room, which gave the audience a chance to see the hot mamas get changed on stage. It’s up to you to decide if that’s a good or a bad thing. Despite, they are obviously very talented women with amazing lipstick choice.

Overall, it was quite entertaining although it felt like there can be room for improvement. However, their energy, enthusiasm and dance skills made it all worth it.

Kryztoff Rating: 3K

Mar 11

INTERACTIVE – Selfies After Dark – Brklyn – 4K

By Peter Maddern

Steph Somers is important, at least in the Instagram world. She has a glowing smile, a squad who tag along with her to nightclubs and 70k followers. She may even be an influencer (but not in the Bill Gates mold).

But she has a dark side, a bitchiness that her adoring fans know nothing about but which some of her closest friends are eager to reveal, for in the social media world it’s not just the haters and stalker-nazis who may wish to bring you down.

Brendan Hay’s take on Steph and her ilk probably doesn’t break new ground when it comes to the story but it is the interactivity aspects that makes this show great.

Participants are led around some of the grottiest parts of east Rundle Street in search of Steph by the attractive Alicia (surely she must have 70k followers as well) and along the way we receive Steph’s Instagram feed updates on the dramas unfolding ahead of us all at the nightclub where we are all heading. The combination of vision and story from Steph’s, her friend’s, her stalkers and who knows who else”s perspectives peels away the layers of these false and sad lives. It’s riveting layered drama.

It’s also all great fun and those who are into this stuff will lap it up. This is a clever and well composed production and well worth being part of Brendan’s squad for Steph.

Kryztoff Rating  4K

Mar 10

FRINGE CABARET – Anya Anastasia: The Executioners – Queen’s Theatre – 4.5K

scaled__GEE5687-WhiteAlexander Ewers

Anya Anastasia is magnetic. From her dramatic entrance, to her samurai slashing, ju-jitsu jumping climax, she holds full sway in her new and limited edition performance “Anya Anastasia: The Executioners”. On trial? 21st century social and political mores. Presiding and adjudicating? Anya herself, as judge, jury and executioner. At stake? An hour of your time – categorically worth every minute – and maybe just the whole fabric of modern Western civilization and culture.

There is nothing pedestrian or passe about “Anya Anastasia: The Executioners”. Set in the groovy Queen’s Theatre on Playhouse Lane, everything about the show is fresh, energetic and invigorating. Anya herself, dressed and heeled in Gaga-esque glory, holds forth in a light hearted dissertation on all things current affairs, as seen from the perspective of one of the disillusioned proletariat “trying to make a difference” in the world. The following social and political commentary is a tongue-in-cheek but nonetheless insightful dissection of Western culture, ranging across topics including immigration, climate change, social media addiction, insipid political leaders, and even the all-prevalent materialism that seeps into even our best and most generous acts. All of this is accomplished to a soundtrack of original lyrical and musical compositions, delivered with the marvellous combination of vivacity, heart, and humour so unique to cabaret.

The performance itself is a masterful production. Anya’s vocal abilities need little embellishment, and she effortlessly navigates both a powerful upper register and the more dulcet, contemplative moments in the show. While a remarkable musician in her own right proving equally capable on piano and ukulele, she is adroitly supported by a multitalented and droll accompanist playing an eclectic combination of instruments oriental and conventional. The combination of lyrical levity and vocal prowess is captivating, a fitting medium through which to shine the spotlight on issues personal and endemic.

Funny, thought-provoking, musical, entertaining – “Anya Anastasia: The Executioners” is cabaret performed as cabaret should be. Musically it is entirely satisfying. Thematically, it proves a perceptive analysis of personal, local and global trends and dilemmas. And as testament by the truly cross-sectional demographic present, it is show that has wide appeal to those seeking comedy, cabaret and contemplation alike.

Kryztoff Rating 4.5 K