Mar 05

Fringe 2015- East End Cabaret: Sexual Tension – The Deluxe- The Garden of Unearthly Delights – 4k

By Tom Eckert

EastEnd_Cabaret_Sexual_Tension_Poster_2014

East End Cabaret is a duo of Bernadette; Deutsche Diva reminiscent of “Wilkommen, Bienvenue” etc etc.And the hermaphroditically dressed musician Victy. A combination of vaudeville and pop culture, if you’re out looking for a riot, you won’t be disappointed.

Whilst not delivering on the literal sexual tension of the title; the show starts with a bang and keeps at you without rest until after the curtain, though it certainly runs wild with the sex. A collection of very entertaining songs ranging from witty word play to shaving hobos, an unassuming but incredibly intelligently crafted score, the two girls will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Despite the adolescent nature of some of the content, these two are clearly extremely capable performers and simply ooze musicianship. It is this, their energy and their chemistry together as performers that creates this unshakable show in a format that could so easily be run off the rails.

Bernadette is the rock of the show. The diva that holds it all together and grabs the audience by the horns, even if she has to climb over four rows of punters to grab you by said horns. But if Bernadette is the rock, Victy is the star. Her musical virtuosity on multiple instruments and exuberance as well as her rapport with the audience is engaging and borderline frightening. Both Bernadette and Victy use the other as the ‘straight guy’ to their gags, but when neither is willing the entire shows just spirals into ever crazier extremes.

This is a show to take your friends to. And if you don’t like them, be sure to sit them in the front row, Bernadette and Victy will take care of the rest.

 

Kryztoff Rating: 4k

Mar 05

FRINGE 2015 – #FirstWorldWhiteGirls – La Boheme – 5K

We live in such a problematic society, and we feel as if we are alone. This show will make you realise that our problems are either they’re smaller than you think or they’re more than real than they should be.

With a very appropriate venue, Brisbane beauties, Judy Hainsworth and Kaitlin Oliver Parker, better known as the First World White Girls, graces the La Boheme with their incredibly stunning floral dresses, fur capelets and sparkling bling that will surely make any New York socialite act like a magpie.

#FIRSTWORLDWHITEGIRLShero

A very interactive variety show that will make you realise first-hand how first world problems are real problems that’s very much evident through the girl’s genuine emotions. It’s definitely a pleasurable experience for anyone who knows someone or experience these things. Never have a dull moment as they narrate and sing their very witty jokes and tips that would absolutely make go “That’s so true!” with every lyric. It really helps that the songs are very catchy and comical and performed in varying singing styles. It’s an experience of combining all your friends, their whines or simply their Facebook status updates.

Enjoy bonus features such as a free counselling session or hacks to cope up with the ever-challenging consumerist first world life.

Absolutely delightful, and you’d literally question if you want to leave. This show exceeded my expectation and it’s much recommended for everyone. #FirstWorldWhiteGirls #SuperAmazing

 

Kryztoff Rating: 5K

Mar 05

Fringe 2015 – Excavate – Edments Building – 3K

By Tom Eckert

Excavate1_website

If you are going to see Gareth Hart’s Excavate, do so with an open and welcoming mind. This is not your traditional performer – audience relationship.

Standing atop the roof of the Edment’s building in Gawler place you are greeted by both the elements and the view split three ways of the hills, the rooves of the East End and an expanse of the tree carpeted parklands. This in itself is quite a delight as it is not an experience often afforded to us.

You will find yourself barefoot, standing and sharing a space with the performer who awaits you prostrate. The performance itself is an interpretive representation of both a macro and journey simultaneously portraying elements of the individual and the species. This is complemented by the adjunct of some technical media which serves to crystallise some of the progression.

The use of constant ambient music and the ceaseless flow of movement serves to create a sort of wash; at worst this flattens any contrast which can result in a sense of sensitisation, but at best develops a rhythm that generates the atmosphere.

At its core, this is a sensory experience more than a performance piece. Between the shifting light of the descending sun and Hart’s choreography, a space for guided introspection is created.

 

Kryztoff Rating: 3K

Mar 03

FRINGE 2015 – Icarus Falling – Tuxedo Cat – 4K

citymag-icarus-fallingBy Peter Maddern

The Greek myth of Icarus, the boy who, when flying too close to the sun, found the wax that tied his wings together melt, causing him to fall to earth, is reinterpreted in this tour de force by (the appropriately named) Scott Wings. In Wings’ world the myth is less about hubris and ignoring sound advice but rather one about depression.

Developing that theme we get taken into the tower where Icarus and his mean, misanthropic father dwell; Icarus dreaming of another world, a world with the beautiful girl he can’t possess. From there, we criss-cross between those confined spaces, Wings own boyhood and life at large – Icarus falling is about the slow decline into another bad world based on rejection and failure to fit in.

Dressed only in aqua coloured pants and a floppy black singlet, that reveals a series of square tatts under his armpit, Wings dances, jumps and crawls across the Cusask Theatre stage adorned only by a few white feathers. By mid show he is drawing members of the audience into his story, not allowing them the usual distance from a performer. It’s powerful and compelling theatre and certainly more provocative than most of the standard fare on at the Fringe.

Traditional theatre lovers may find Icarus Falling a challenge but those not wedded to the fix ways of sets and costumes will quickly get on his rhetorical path.
Kryztoff Rating 4K

Mar 02

Fringe 2015 – Run – The Holden Street Theatre – 3.5K

By Tom Eckert

indexInspired by the film ‘Run Lola Run’ and the biblical text “Run without becoming weary that you may obtain the prize”, the Melbourne Dance Theatre, with choreography by Martin Sierra create an athletic interpretive metaphor exploring the ideas on interpersonal and fateful cause and effect.

The entire company displayed admirable and very strong classical technique and this proved to be the strength of the production. The sense of narrative was abstract, and if not for the use of projection of content from the film and programmatic text explaining to the audience the progression, it would have been very hard to follow. The music was driving, maintaining the pace and highlighting the physical abilities of the dancers, however it tended to get a bit the same could be said of much of the movement, as impressive as it was, the recurring running motifs hit the point home perhaps a little too hard resulting in sensitisation, leaving the audience waiting for the next sequence.

As a whole the use of projection, music and lighting were certainly effective and the company managed to express their ideas. But the stars of the show are inevitably the dancers maintained a vibrant energy from start the end.

Kryztoff rating: 3.5K

Mar 01

FRINGE 2015 – Arrested, Under-Developed & Under-Medicated – Published Arthouse – 4K

Screen-Shot-2015-01-14-at-3.25.22-pmBy Peter Maddern

If magic shows are your thing, then this show is a must see. Krendl is an American, bald (covered with a nifty hat) and in a tuxedo who has a substantial pedigree in the trade (he has a DVD out as he kept telling his audience). In this 90 minute show, he dishes up a series of captivating tricks, mostly with the help of audience members that astound and confound in equal measure – rope tricks, razor blades down the throat, disappearing money and so on.

In the eclectic Published Arthouse, the show is far beyond your standard Rundle Mall busker and the man himself sustains a frothy enthusiasm even in the face of a meagre crowd (which is actually somewhat of a travesty – still with the Fringe you have to start somewhere.)

A bit of a sleeper I suspect this Fringe and certainly well worth checking out in his final two shows next Friday and Saturday evenings.

Kryztoff Rating    4K

Mar 01

A Bee’s Dick Away FRINGE 2015 4K

Lisa Harper Campbell’s one woman show, a Bee’s Dick Away, begins with a cantankerous teenager bursting into her bedroom and revealing that she was quite close to having never existed.

The play is a frank and humorous discussion of a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have a child and the difficult questions associated.

Lisa’s character begins as an overly articulate and clever teenage girl struggling with the news that her mother almost made the decision not to have her. As the play continues the issue is delved into further and approached from several different angles.

Lisa’s dialogue is at first confronting and raw, but as the play continues she softens and sends ripples of laughter through the audience. Lisa’s acting is superb, carrying the emotions and thoughts of her character exceptionally.

This issue is clearly an important one to her and one she has deliberated on.

This play raises important questions which are too often shied away from in society. The implications of these decisions, one way or the other, can be extensive and it becomes clear that there are insufficient structures in place to help young women make these decisions.

This is an important play, the subject matter and social implications need to be discussed. No longer does a socially progressive play have to be about something as acute as live exports or saving the ocelot. Broader underlying societal issues that are simply overlooked, ignored or not addressed are welcome, especially when they’re discussed with the cheeky wit of Lisa Harper Campbell.

 

A Bee’s Dick Away is hosted at the Bakehouse Theatre

4K

 

Feb 28

FRINGE 2015: Art of Tease – Shotz Bar – 2K

Mixed amongst a few talented tantalising burlesque performers who have a grasp on how to work the tease to the music, with some stunning costumes and gorgeous, tattoo covered, wiggling bodies is a very disruptive MC and some performers who seem to have forgotten both the art and tease of the theme completely. The ever increasingly swearing and vulgar MC, who seemed a little entertaining at the beginning, begins to feel more of an annoying interruption stealing any opportunity for the acts to flow.

At Shotz Bar until Saturday 14 March.

Rated 18+

http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/art-of-tease/82cc6fad-a003-4d8c-a9b6-17dc83ea071e

Kryztoff Rating   2K

Feb 28

FRINGE 2015: The Princess and the Glass Piano – Channel 9 Studios: The Chapel of Love – 3.5K

A princess appears and makes the unusual statement that inside her small frame, there is a glass piano. How it got there, she’s not exactly sure, but it has been there for a while and appears to be permanent. Aside from this minor affliction, she seems a bright, intelligent and sensible girl; though perhaps she is a little too attached to the toys of her youth and is rather fond of wine.

This is obviously a psychological manifestation of some inner anxiety; it is obvious to her mother, it is obvious to her doctors. Yet Alexandra maintains that there is indeed a glass piano inside of her – regardless of its appearance conveniently coinciding with her father’s abdication and her familial breakdown – and at times you may believe her.

Based on a 19th century Bavarian princess, writer/director Sharmini Kumar has crafted a peculiarly appealing tale of a girl trying desperately to shape her own destiny; and of the ludicrous manner in which the subconscious may attempt to help out with this. She has woven little details of the true story throughout, which help to flesh out the character and, while she is a little too haughty to truly like, enable you to sympathise with her.

Elise Kumar’s performance of Alexandra is measured and enjoyable. Her physical command of the character is excellent, maintaining the rigid stance one might adopt, should one have a glass piano inside oneself, throughout the hour. In her flowing white dress and tight curls, it is like watching a doll tell a story.

Simple lighting cues help to indicate when Alexandra is impersonating other characters within her tale, and their appearance keeps the momentum of the story rolling along. Good attention to detail has been paid in terms of costuming, however some of the props, particularly the stuffed animals, are distractingly modern.

While the lofty attitude of Alexandra means that you are unlikely to empathise too deeply with the character, or become emotionally invested in her plight, the tale of her affliction is interesting and this presentation of it is satisfying.

Kryztoff Rating: 3.5K

Feb 28

FRINGE 2015: Truth Be Told Neel Kolhatkar – ComedySuperNova – 4.5K

If you’re looking for some culture, like one of the audience – you won’t go wrong on this. Truth Be Told speaks for itself, as this Youtube comedian speaks of what is happening in … it gets funnier.

If you recognise this bloke from his ‘Australia in 2 minutes’ video that catapulted him to this star stand-up comedian he is today, it’s given to expect impersonations from our political leader, or the authentic Australian-version of things.

With such sharp & detailed description of our society, don’t forget to catch your breath from all the big laughing. Although, you have to certainly know who Neel Kolhatkar at a certain level to be able to enjoy this show, or maybe know Australia quite in-depth. A lot of inside gags that will make you feel like you’re the dopy kid in a cool crowd for jokes that are in those references.

It’s rated for all ages, but I really wouldn’t take my conservative mother or my 12-year old cousin, otherwise they really wouldn’t hear much from all the bleeping in the air – but those flying foxes make it funnier for most.

Obviously Neel’s not doing this to bring happiness and joy; he’s doing it for a lot more. Catch him on his last show tonight at ComedySuperNova at Palace Nova, Rundle St. He’ll take your money, but sure it is worth it.

Kryztoff Rating: 4.5K