Posts tagged Adelaide 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: 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: 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
RAW: Every Day Faces – Every Day Places – Naomi Clarke – Adelaide Railway Station
Feb 21st
Naomi Clarke’s elongated canvasses that stretch across the great arrivals hall at the railway station are works of great interest. Captured on them are photographed faces, sometimes portraits, of people of all walks and ages, some we know, most of whom are otherwise just faces in the crowd. Their looks are sometimes intriguing, other times hugely engaging such as the young boy in a joyous moment.
Using the railway station hall as the place to display them is most apt, for there below these canvasses is the same eclectic mix of individuals milling around and going about their days, also enjoying moments of delight and introspection.
Works on this scale can run the risk of overdoing it or getting lost above the masses. Clarke has done well to get the balance right and achieve her goal as set out in the exhibition’s title. The pity is that they could not be hung closer to the southern stairs where the impact of them vis a vis the people below would have been greater. It seems some promotion of the railways people took precedence (– can you believe it).
Kryztoff Rating – 4K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Paul Dougherty and his Band – La Boheme
Feb 21st
Recently returned from a year studying in Boston, Paul Dougherty showed a small but appreciative audience the benefit of his time away with an engrossing display at the quaint La Boheme last Thursday night. Dougherty with two strings to his bow as both a bass player and vocalist played an array of music – much his own but supported by the likes Bill Withers – complemented by equally varied lyrical topics including the opening five song homage to Amelia Earhart based in turn on a song by Joni Mitchell.
Paul was well supported by Daniel Brunner on key boards (and also a composer for the evening) and Chris Neale on drums while out of the direct light but a wonderful accompaniment to Dougherty’s voice and compositions was young Dan Clohesy on sax.
Dougherty showed great confidence and maturity in not only his own abilities but also the program he chose. While jazz of this type can suffer for composers who can’t sing, Dougherty’s smooth hedgehog brownie type voice added extra dimension and enjoyment. His Ain’t No Sunshine cover perhaps best highlighted his talents vocally as well his capacity to interpret as well as innovate.
Find the time to track him down when next he plays.
Kryztoff Rating – 4K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Sam Eads Big Band – Queens Arms
Feb 21st
It was a hugely ambitious project to bring together 18 young musicians for a big band recital based on in-house composers and then Maynard Ferguson classics but Sam Eads and his band pulled it off on debut at the Queens Arms on Friday night and pulled it off easily.
The first set was mostly compositions of prodigious talent Daniel Clohesy. These gave sax player, Jason McMahon and trombonists Nick Pietsch and Jimmy Bowman (amongst others) a chance to strut their stuff supported by the work horses, Joel Prime (percussion), Polly Thomas (drums) and Marty Houlebek (bass). The second set of Maynard Ferguson standards featured a bearding Eric Santucci taking control on trumpet in a display of bluster and confidence that returned the trust placed in him by Eads to hold this portion of the show together.
Over the whole hour, the sax quintet were the stars with McMahon ably supported by Andrew Crago, Alex Mussolino as well as Clohesy.
This was a great sound and great fun as well as high inspiration to see so many young players pulling together in a venture like this. With a little more polish – not too many of the penguin suits fitted or their shoes polished – Adelaide will be blessed if they can play for us regularly.
Kryztoff Rating – 4K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Sound & Fury’s Private Dick
Feb 21st
Talented theatrical trio Richard, Shelby and Jonathan are Sound & Fury, dedicated to parody.
Playing with ‘film noir’ conventions, it’s clear these guys know the meaning of fun. Occasionally singing, dancing, improvising, breaking down the “fourth wall” and/or breaking character, these three enthrall their audience.
Private Dick, which in essence is the sixty solid minutes of dirty double entendres, also features cross-dressing dames and nonsensical names.
If you find your mind is already in the gutter, get to this show at Le Cascadeur before 28 Feb. If not, let Sound & Fury drag you there… you won’t regret it! 
Kryztoff Rating: 4.5K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: The Funny Side of Prestidigitation
Feb 20th
Illusionist PiP and reluctant assistant Miss Olivia are supposed to be comical…
Have to be honest and say, can’t see that as being the truth. I reckon a street performing magician would do better.
Usually if the magic tricks are blatantly obvious, the humour really strikes a chord. Unfortunately in this instance, neither the tricks nor the comic routine stand up.
Mind you the drunker of the crowd seemed to be amazed by PiP, or maybe they were just taking the piss.
This overpriced, unprofessional magic show is on at Caos Bar & Cafe on Hindley Street until 5th March.
Kryztoff Rating: 1.5K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe
RAW: Lindsay Webb – Hurry Up Jesus
Feb 20th
So wasn’t sure what to expect from this show, was it going to be a bible bash to the head or a guy just waiting on stage for the J man.
Lucky for me it was neither. Lindsay Webb essentially picked up the bible (and all things religious) and poked hole after hole in it. Sure it’s an insensitive show if you are a devoted Christian (esp. Catholic or Mormon), but for those of us going to the heathen already, it’s a great laugh.
Engaging, Lindsay pushes the boundaries of religion, but actively gauges our response and never steps the line.
Genuinely funny, Lindsay managed to keep it to an hour – he’s the Guinness World Record Holder for Longest Stand Up Show by an Individual at a cool 38hrs & 6min! Lucky he’s funny, else that would have been torture for the audience. 
>> Catch Hurry Up Jesus at the Maid, just out of the city at Magill & Payneham Roads, before 14th March to catch this funny fella!
Kryztoff Rating: 4K
>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe