Archive for February, 2010
RAW Preview: The Servant and Two Masters
Feb 25th
So I wanted to support our local actors and productions, so here, in a slight break of tradition, is a RAW Preview for The Servant of Two Masters.
The Servant of Two Masters has it all!
From star-crossed lovers, mistaken identities, big hair, and suspenseful stares to eyepatches and women dressed as women dressed as men. Sappy soap opera meets traditional tomfoolery in the University of Adelaide Fringe Club’s adaptation of this classic Italian commedia dell’arte.
It’s only on three times this weekend, Fri 26th, Sat 27th and Sun 28th Feb on the Back Armoury Lawns, behind the Art Gallery and State Library, starting at 6:30pm.
Originally written by Carlo Goldoni, this theatre piece is directed by Freyja Stokes and Bronwyn Ward.
>> Get your tix here FringeTix.
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our latrest Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Food For Thought @ The Birdcage
Feb 25th
A trio of elegant acrobats grace the stage at The Birdcage. Starting with an a cappella version of Que Sera Sera, a housewife (albeit balancing on a trapeze) ices a number of cupcakes to share with her girlfriend (on another trapeze). The hungry butler arrives on stilts, to serve these cakes. From then on, a battle rages between the two mistresses and the butler over cupcakes, cabbage, and much much more.
The girls present half an hour of fantastic gymnastics, breathtaking feats of balance and fluid motions – save your applause to the end.
Definitely worth a walk to the Birdcage, on Victoria Drive, opposite the Torrens Parade Ground, aka The Big Top.
Kryztoff Rating: 3.5K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our latrest Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
“Be your age or bust” proves a pleasant surprise
Feb 23rd
If you’re looking for an enjoyable evening out with a locally created show with Adelaidian references “Be your age or bust” could be for you.
Produced by the Royal Adelaide University Old Footlighters Club, the show takes the form of a number of skits bringing to life characters from Adelaide the audience members are likely to know well.
This rag-tag band is doing the show for the love of it – and it shows. Or rather radiated off the stage and contributed much to the enjoyment of myself and the rest of the audience. But don’t be fooled – their stage craft, professionalism, and vivacity would leave much younger performers for dead. At least on stage, for I fear a few chardonnays may be consumed backstage post show!
It was said that some of the performers fear this may be their last opportunity to perform together (pooh-pooh I say!), and they certainly gave it their all, bearing their bodies in lycra costumes where required, discussing bodily changes with aging, as well as numerous skits based on political and social commentary. However, for those expecting fast-paced, lewd, rude comedy be warned – this is based on a traditional style of entertainment. All-singing, all-dancing numbers are included.
While the show would be enjoyable for all ages, it holds a lot of its value in showcasing the positive influence so called ‘older Australians’ can have on society; how much life they still have to give. Those in the audience who share age milestones with the performers certainly enjoyed the show whole-heartedly. The perfect show to take your parents or even grandparents to!
RAW: Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones @ La Cascadeur
Feb 23rd
This brilliant little show takes the simple methods of shadow puppetry and cleverly introduces a charming series of characters in deifferent situations using incredible techniques, coordination and creative and effective handmade props and puppets.
Montreal puppeteer Jeff is is jovial and bouncy, despite the small Monday evening crowd, and his sound effects and sporadic noises not only make him sound like a lunatic, but build up and add to the visual show. Before the smiling crowd moved on, we were left with the thoughts “never underestimate the importance of play”. A clever, fun show which turns something simple into something special.
Kryztoff Rating: 4.5K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Eddie Ifft @ Mercury
Feb 23rd
Not for the faint of heart, this show documents some of the more ‘foot-in-mouth’ moment’s of Ifft’s life that would make even the most awkward of us feel good about ourselves.
While at times appearing overly forced, it is a brand of confident humour in search of an “oh no he di-n’t!” response from the audience. Saying this, he is successful in doing so, covering topics including ‘bloodfarts’, homosexuality, drunk pilots, midgets and of course the c-bomb, without taking a backward step.
Don’t bring Grandma, and don’t dress like a dick if you’re going to sit in the front row.
Kryztoff Rating: 3.5K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Bienvenue a Brelville @ La Boheme
Feb 23rd
The funny, musical and romantic story of a young man, 2 women and a mysterious clown of questionable sanity.
Kryztoff Rating: 3K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: The Grimstones @ The Bosco Theatre
Feb 22nd
In terms of puppetry, set construction and staging The Grimstones is a great feat. The puppets look great and it’s amazing how these performers can bring such life to these characters through their strings. It’s great to see this performance staged with sign language and narrator on hand to translate. It’s a cute show though it does have some pacing issues and the speaking narrator could have a stronger on stage persona, but it’s particularly worth sticking around for the Q+A session afterward to ask the show’s creator and signing narrator how she put together the whole show.
If you’re there for the story you might find that it drags. However I would happily take my mum along (She loves this kind of stuff!)
Kryztoff Rating: 3 K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Akoustic Odyssey – Promethean
Feb 21st
For their shows at the picturesque Promethean, Akoustic Odyssey delivered up exactly as their web-site describe it – a banquet of rock baroque, Latin jazz, classical heavy metal, Mediterranean, and Middle-Eastern styles with just a touch of funk.
These shows included extracts off their forthcoming album Lotus that includes not only new material but reworked old standards such as Odyssey. The prolific nature of the group may be evidenced by the fact their last album was released less than 18 months ago.
AO has enjoyed considerable local support with a gig at 2006 WOMAD and nominations for Fringe Act of the year. The music quickly draws you in and one rapidly appreciates the quality musicianship of all the players with perhaps Josh Tsounis on guitars (and one of the primary composers) the standout. Many of the songs gather momentum like a departing passenger train before cruising at high velocity in their midst. Emma Luker (violin) and Talitha Best (oboe) make fine front people while Anne Harrington’s percussion is under emphasised or at the risk of being under appreciated.
Akoustic Odyssey is fine Sunday afternoon fare for all to enjoy.
Kryztoff Rating – 4K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe