Feb 25

Fringe 2016: Theatre – That Siege in Adelaide – The Bakehouse – 3.5K

‘That Siege in Adelaide’ is a farcical tale similar to those of Dario Fo. Over the top characters and witty commentary of the state government and media’s response to a ‘violent’ stand off.

There were stand out performances from Todd Gray and Cassandra Scalzi, the two  journalists on the scene of the seige. Gray’s voice acting in particular was a clever mockery of the voice all to familiar ABC voice. As the tension mounts and the journalists uncover the truth of the situation the humour builds to an outrageous crescendo. A few mistimed cues and dropped lines did draw the audience out of the scene but for the most part the acting was entertaining and well choreographed.

Where this play excelled was the writing. The media and Adelaide based jokes worked well with the crowd who revelled at the ludicrous limits the two networks were willing to go in their quest to retain fictional viewers. As the satire went on it became ever more political, drawing in clever depictions of State and Federal politicians. Towards the end some technical elements did let the writing down a little, but overall the humour still shone through.

Overall a witty and enjoyable show with many laugh out loud moments. A cutting portrayal of the state of the mass media industry in Australia and around the world. Well written, concise and light hearted this show will have you reevaluating your choices of media consumption.

Kryztoff Rating   3.5K

 

Feb 25

FRINGE 2016: THEATRE – Bicycle – The Treasury Tunnels at Adina Apartment Hotel – 4K

From the moment the haunting strains of violin music creep up the stairs from the basement of the old Treasury building to welcome you into the underground world, mingling with the delightful smell of candle wax as you descend into the dank chambers, the scene is carefully set for this Gothic tale of passion and liberty. While encompassing the well-known story of the supernatural Count with a thirst for the blood of young ladies, the script brings an interesting new variation to the tale. Told primarily from the point of view of one of the ladies in question, a greater emphasis is put on her own transformation and the consequences, both positive and negative, of choosing a non-conventional path in life.

Writer/performer Danielle Baynes is effervescent as the young lady, brimming with excitement at the gift of a new bicycle, intrigued by the man who has bestowed it upon her, and flushed with the anticipation of new experiences and freedom. Her enthusiasm and delight at all she encounters overpowers any feelings of foreboding or menace, while also being suitably disconcerting in its fervour.  The live music, performed by Pip Dracakis, is another vital piece of this production, effective both when it is echoing from the adjoining chambers or being drawn directly into the unfolding tale.

While the staging in the basement tunnels gives an appropriately desolate, historical, ghostly feel to the show, it is also the one major factor that goes against this production. The space is small. Even with minimal seating, the staging feels cramped into an area about half of what is needed. There are times when the movements become repetitive, possibly due to the majority of the “stage” area being taken up by the bicycle, thus leaving director Michael Dean and movement director Amanda Laing few options for variation. While the claustrophobic feel may reflect the character‘s own feelings of being trapped, it often looks awkward rather than symbolic and produces some sightline issues for certain members of the audience.  Other imagery works better – the bicycle unravelling as the lady’s control does the same is particularly well done and its employment in representing supporting characters and objects is also satisfying and judiciously used. The lighting by Matt Ralph does help to inject some variation to the staging, adding to the eerie aesthetic, and effectively indicating shifts in time and place.

This is a well-constructed piece of writing, filled with energy, humour and a more serious underlying current. The deft touches of theatricality add to the experience to make it enjoyable overall, despite the somewhat detrimental constraints of the venue.

Kryztoff rating: 4K

Feb 25

Fringe 2016: Coin Operated Girl 4K

Half sex-ed lesson half business class; Coin Operated Girl is an insight into the life of a successful London sex worker. In her very descriptive and revealing show Miranda Kane walks the audience through the tools of the trade, interactions with clients and at one point discussed the legalities of brothels in the UK.

Kane is a confident and open performer, drawing laughs from the audience with rehearsed and improvised material. The timing and delivery of her material was excellent with howls of laughter emanating from the crowd. Most importantly Miranda was very calm and confident, creating a very safe space for her audience who interacted with her often and humorously.

There were many opportunities for Miranda to denigrate the sex worker industry but she her observations and stories were enjoyable and respectful. It was refreshing to see a performance like this which so openly discusses the often taboo topic of the sex industry. Kane was clearly trying to have an open discussion of the sex industry and while it was very enjoyable it was also quite sobering.

Coin Operated Girl is a well constructed, entertaining hour long show; a clever and witty insight into the lives of sex workers and the incredible stories that accompany them. Some huge laughs with some very insightful knowledge, a great show.

4K

Feb 25

FRINGE 2016: Alice Fraser – The Resistance – 3.5K

671d102653654a52131e7c38203b259b

By Amy Nancarrow

Comedian Alice Fraser sits on the stage with her trusty banjo and new tiny piano – “I need to use it enough to write it off on tax” – and sings songs about love, urban animals, and the fact that the craziest stories in her show sound like fiction, but are actually truth.

Fraser tells an hour long tale of her Hungarian grandmother, Buddhist upbringing, and the other inhabitants of her grandmother’s crumbling block of flats. From Luis, the Chilean gardener, to Mrs Duragalau, the Indian witch, Fraser masterfully tells the tale of their comedic, touching, and tragic existences. Fraser muses on Alan Jones, crazy sex tips, her hatred of people who don’t care about the environment, and hippies. Fraser is clearly incredibly intelligent, and is a fantastic storyteller. However, the most surprising thing is that despite being a comedy, The Resistance also features moments of seriousness, with Fraser questioning what it is to be a ‘good person’.

The thing that lets Fraser down is a somewhat unpolished performance. She had not memorised many of her lyrics, and used prompting notebooks on the stage during her songs. Likewise, the songs didn’t really serve much of a purpose; whilst a nice interlude, the show would have flowed better if she had kept going with her great stories. Despite this, Alice Fraser delivers a rather touching, surprising, and thought provoking show.

Kryztoff Rating: 3.5K

Feb 24

Fringe 2016 – Beowulf: The Blockbuster – The German Club – Showroom One – 4K

By Tom Eckert

BTB

If we are talking minimalism, this is almost as there as it gets. With nothing more than a square frame of light with adjustable hue, the black T-Shirt on his back and a charming Irish accent, Bryan Burroughs strides, soars and floats his way across the stage and single-handedly brings you into the intimate world of a father and son’s relationships with only the occasional foray into the womb.

What we have a here is a man well versed in the bardic traditions and epic poetry with a strong does of physical theatrics to boot. Playing father, son, grandmother and grandson it’s genuinely hard to convince yourself that this is but one man on stage.

Brought gently into the story of a son and his languishing father you feel your heart strings tugged by the conflict between youthful naivity and the knowledge of finite mortality. This dissonance however is slowly mollified throughout the piece in the oldest form possible, by expressing that which you can’t yourself through story.

In the most quintessentially paternal manner Burroughs character wrestles with his stoical nature and desires through the legend of Beowulf. With frequent modernising interjections, including a comparison of Grendel to Chewbacca, it is made more accessible to  Burroughs’ nine year-old self as well as lay people not acquitted with the anglo-saxon epic poem.

Whilst maybe lacking the impact of some of the more spectacular shows. Beowulf: The Blockbuster has a more intimate pull. In this day and age of shock and special effects, it’s good to see that the age old forms still retain their place and impact.

Kryztoff rating: 4K

Feb 24

FRINGE 2016: THEATRE – To Space – Holden Street Theatres – 3K

Part lecture, part autobiography, part science experiment, this show provides exactly what it says on the box – or more accurately, in the publicity releases. Dr Niamh Shaw is an engaging speaker, clearly knowledgeable about science, space, and the complexities of life. She is the type of person you are lucky to have as your teacher at school or uni; presenting the facts in a stylish and interesting manner, interjecting suitable personal ruminations, and brimming with enthusiasm for the subjects covered.

Some may find the structure of the show a little mundane, as it is more like a scientific presentation rather than a traditional play. Projections of personal diary entries, photographs and paintings do add a certain uniqueness to the production, however not all of the pictures used are especially impactful and there didn’t seem to be a discernible theme or aesthetic linking them together. The inclusion of personal stories adds an empathetic aspect to the show, which reminds us that though in the grand scheme of things we are no more than a speck of dust in the cosmos, our dreams are still worth pursuing.

The greatest audience for this show would likely be students in their final years of high school; young minds that are deciding what their future may hold, and for whom the message that you don’t always have to stick to the first career you choose will be important. Having said that, the piece also reminds us that sometimes opportunities can pass us by, whether because of a fear of the unknown, a feeling of entrapment or commitment to other things, or simply through becoming distracted by life. In the end, Shaw leaves us with a feeling of hope, but this isn’t a blindly optimistic conclusion, it’s one that while asking for a belief in the unlikely also recognised the realities of life.

Kryztoff rating: 3K

Feb 24

Fringe 2016: Zach and Tom – Best Friends – 4.5K

If the real skill of a comedian is to uncover humour where it normally goes unnoticed or overlooked then Zach Zucker and Tom Walker are naturals. Drawing comedy from all sources; from a simple volleyball match to an absurdist interpretation of a tree felling, these two will have you leave with a story to tell and a smile on your face.

From the moment you walk in and see Tom attempting to balance a range of bluetac facial hair on his face you know you are in for something altogether different and bizarrely entertaining. Zach and Tom work with the audience to build humour across the show, the laughs growing with momentum as the show continues.

As you might glean from the title, Zach and Tom are very close and this works wonders on stage. Their comfort with themselves and one another allows them the confidence to make jokes that would otherwise wouldn’t and to revel in them when they go awry. As improvisers, they clearly are accustomed to an imperfect show, but with their chemistry on stage, even their mistakes are enjoyable for the audience. A curtain fall will be saved by a quick throw away line from Tom or a mistimed joke will be caught by Zach’s humorous facial expression. However there was a moment during the church scene where mistimed music and repeated attempts to get the skit going drew the audience out of the madness for a few moments. This seemed somewhat at odds with the free flowing, relaxed attitude the show had built until this point.

This show is laugh out loud funny, the interactions with the audience and the quick wit and good humour of Zach and Tom culminate in a show that demonstrates low budget doesn’t mean low quality. A must see for this year’s fringe for you and your best friend.

Zach and Tom – Best Friends is on every night except Wednesdays at Tuxedo Cat at 6pm

4.5 K

Feb 24

FRINGE 2016: Aerial – 4.5K

By Anthony Nguyen

10393_Aerial-Image_EFUL_GUIDEIt is without a doubt that circus shows are hugely popular at the Adelaide Fringe every year, and Aerial is one of the acts that does not fail to impress. As the title would suggest, Aerial essentially features airborne stunts and acrobatics, particularly with aerial silk.

Presented by the local talents of Aerial Artists Adelaide, the show displays spectacular set performances using a wide range of aerial apparatuses including silks, rope, nets and poles. Additionally, the show displays lively acrobatic performances from a contortionist and trapeze acrobats. Contrasting to this, the show also consisted of a comedic storyline between two hilarious characters, Disco and Jenny, which added a bit of a change in pace.

The many performers of Aerial successfully demonstrate the elegance and nimbleness of aerial acrobatics through their perfectly synchronised execution. A notable highlight of the show was a mesmerizing aerial silk routine that was accompanied by a separate live musical performance of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, effectively displaying the different variety of talents during the show.

It is also to be noted that the backing tracks during the sets were well selected and implemented, really assisting in setting the tone of the performances and really getting the crowd immersed into the routine. Some technical difficulties were had during the show when the audio suddenly cut off for almost two minutes; however the artists retained their professionalism and unaffectedly continued the show and amazed the audience.

With a haunting yet powerful finale performance, Aerial is a show that truly inspires with the grace of its performers and the beauty of aerial manoeuvres. Highlighting amazing local Adelaide talent, Aerial is not a show to be missed and continues its run with its last show on February 28th located in The Octagon at Gluttony.

Kryztoff Rating: 4.5K

Feb 23

FRINGE 2016: The Amy Winehouse Show – Back to Black – 4K

AMYW2016

By Amy Nancarrow

Renowned jazz singer Amy Winehouse may have lived a short and tragic life, but she could certainly sing. She has been posthumously crowned as one of the greats by jazz legend Tony Bennett – Winehouse’s personal hero – and it has been almost unanimously declared that she was one of the most talented singers of the early 21st century.

One thing that the members of The Amy Winehouse Show exude is a love for their fallen idol. Singer Atlanta Coogan is a spooky dead ringer for the late star; close your eyes and you’d swear that you were listening to an old Winehouse record. Dressed in a quintessential Winehouse black beehive and 1950s style outfit, Coogan effortlessly belts out hits like Back to Black, Tears Dry On Their Own, Valerie, and classic hit Rehab. The set was mainly focussed on Winehouse’s second album, Back to Black, with only one song performed from her first and more authentically jazz-based album, Frank.

Equally, The Little Big Band were fantastic. With two saxophonists, bassist, electric guitar, and percussionists, the band were always on the ball, helping Coogan out with some vocal troubles mid-way through the show (though you wouldn’t know it – if that’s what she sounds like when she’s losing her voice, her full range must be incredible).

The one point of contention would be the small tidbits of information throughout the show about Winehouse’s life. Whilst interesting, these short monologues at times interrupted the flow of the performance.  Despite this, the performance was a great tribute to the late jazz legend, with a spectacular performance from Atlanta Coogan.

Kryztoff Rating: 4K

Feb 22

FRINGE 2016: Dinner with the Stars Show – 4K

By Anthony Nguyen

9968_The-Desirables-Dinner-with-the-Stars-Show_EFUL_GUIDEOnce again, the Adelaide Fringe proves that there are many quality shows that appeal to the older adult crowd, and one great example of this is the Dinner with the Stars Show. Featuring The Desirables of award-winning Adelaide band, Pulse, live music entertainment is provided all night long in a 4 hour long program that includes a delicious 3 course meal.

The night is set into two separate shows, with meals being served in between. Tony of The Desirables played the evening’s host and greeted everyone at each table and constantly checked up on everyone throughout the night. Additionally, plenty of time was given to mingle and rove with other attendees whilst enjoying the background music provided by the band.

Starting the night of with an entrée of light finger food, the main course then followed after the first set consisting of a tasty BBQ buffet. Lastly the dessert served was a delicious apple crumble with vanilla ice cream. However, beverages were not included in the package and can be purchased from the bar separately.

A large variety of music from different genres were performed throughout the night, though consisting more from classic anthems from artists such as The Beatles, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley and ABBA. With frequent costume changes, the two female lead vocalists of the band, Sophia Kontogonis and Belinda Martinez, provided stunning vocals that is set to amaze you from your seats. Participation from the audience was encouraged to sing along and dance, to which many people did adding to the lively and fun atmosphere.

Located at the Adelaide Bowling Club in the city, bring a group of friends and prepare to be wined and dined under the entertainment by The Desirables at their Dinner with the Stars Show which continues for two more shows every Friday night until March 11th.

Kryztoff Rating: 4K