Category: Adelaide Fringe

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Adelaide Fringe Adelaide Fringe 2020

Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster – Adelaide Fringe 2020

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been re-imagined with songs, soundscapes and sonic trickery from the exceptional talent that is London’s BAC Beatbox Academy. Experience the power of the human voice breathing life into monsters all around us, and consider: who are the monsters we fear? Who created them? And how the hell did they just do that with their voices?!

The cast was made up of six vocalists aged 19-27, who each showcased exceptional and unique skills in beat-boxing, vocal gymnastics, singing, spoken word, acapella, and body percussion. At times I forgot that all of the sounds were coming only from the performers, as they created amazing soundscapes reminiscent of forests, synthesizers, and stage bands, bending the limits of what can be done with just the human body.

Body shaming, race politics, and social media addiction are just some of the themes covered into this modern interpretation of the classic sci-fi story, where our modern social and economic structures are responsible for creating monsters and then very quickly turning on them. Just like the source material, the true monster of the story is not the creation, but the creator.

The static set, stark stage, and smoke and lighting effects in the RCC’s The Attic (the former Rumours Cafe in Union House) created a dark and gritty atmosphere and allowed the performances and story to shine.

Highlights for me including the process of building the monster, which saw the performers perform acapella samples from well-known songs to represent different parts of the body – from The Prodigy’s Firestarter to Pachabels Canon in D. Another highlight was when the cast turned the spotlight on the crowd to sing a song of insecurity and mockery, making fun of audience members in a catchy song I just can’t get out of my head (Oh my god, she’s so hideous!)

The BAC Beatbox Academy is not just a group of incredibly talented and dedicated performers, it is also an enterprise with an important social mission. Since its inception in 2008, BAC’s Beatbox Academy has pro-actively engaged harder to reach groups in areas of significant deprivation in Wandsworth, including young carers and children at risk of engaging in crime. For the price of your ticket, you are not just enjoying an evening of world-class entertainment, you are supporting the incredible cause of helping people flourish through performing arts.

Beatbox Academy’s Frankenstein is joyful, dark, and mesmerising. Everyone should see this show.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/frankenstein-how-to-make-a-monster-af2020

Content Warning: PG

Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/BACBeatboxAcademy

Performance Reviewed: 6pm Sunday 23rd Feb, The Attic @ RCC

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Adelaide Fringe Adelaide Fringe 2020

Blunderland – Adelaide Fringe 2020

Woah. Just woah. This show was well worth the $30 price tag if not more. Our MC of Blunderland invited us to dive down the rabbit hole. And dive we did. This one hour show of burlesque, acrobatics, cabaret and circus feats brought about a fun loving, queer and beautiful night. The carefree and open attitude of all cast involved in Blunderland made for an entertaining show, which you wished would never end. Among the talented cast were three standout, amazing and quirky clowns who without fail had the whole audience in stitches anytime they came on stage. If you get the chance to go see this show I thoroughly encourage you to go – and make sure to take your biggest smile and loudest cheers to support such a beautiful show.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/blunderland-af2020

Content Warnings: R18+

Official Website: https://www.blunderlandvariety.com

Performance reviewed: Octagon, Gluttony, Thursday 20th February 9.40pm

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Adelaide Fringe Adelaide Fringe 2020

The Devil Made Me Do It – Adelaide Fringe 2020

Mackenzie has sold her soul to the devil and can’t remember her life before this moment. But now she wants to go back on her contact. The story explores the reasons why Mackenzie had signed her soul away to begin with. This show deals with issues of depression, drug addiction, rape, and memory loss – this show is definitely for 18+ with the dark themes present throughout the show.

The show for its cost was worth the money. It was very dark and left open ended so it’s up to the audience to determine Mackenzie’s fate. The Devil and Studio owner played by John Valdez and Tristan O’Neil respectively were standout performers and brought out feelings of love and hate audience members, with one such member saying she wanted to throw her phone at the studio owner.

One highlight was seeing one of Such Cliche’s own Erinn Flavel shining on stage in many roles through the ensemble cast.

The use of lighting and audio visions definitely brought a much needed edge to the performance to complete the show.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-devil-made-me-do-it-af2020

Content Warning: M

Presented By: Write Me Originals

Performance Reviewed: Thursday 20th February at the Bakehouse Theatre

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Adelaide Fringe Adelaide Fringe 2020

Simon Taylor is a Super Funny Boy – Adelaide Fringe 2020

Simon Taylor returns to the Adelaide Fringe for the 10th time, and although the formula for this one-man stand-up comedy show doesn’t push any new boundaries, it’s a fantastic night for comfortable entertainment.

His material appeals to a large spectrum of audience members, with jokes that are relatable no matter where you come from. Gender stereotypes play a large role in Simon’s material, as do stereotypes of other characters, including the typical drunk-before-lunch Melbourne Cup goer.

The relatively small venue with a raised stage and flat seating allows you to feel as though you are a part of the act… if you’re sitting in the front row. Any further back than that and you feel distanced from the comedian. Simon combats this by including some audience participation right from the get-go, adding a personal touch and becoming friends with the crowd.

His sharp humour keeps the audience entertained over the course of 50 minutes, with a pace that feels steady with very few dull moments. The time spent on each individual topic feels natural and leaves you wanting more.

Simon Taylor is clearly an experienced comedian, with the delivery and timing of his jokes both precise and natural. He allows the viewers enough time to register and laugh at each jokes, so you’re never left wondering what he just said.

Simon Taylor is a Super Funny Boy is an excellent choice of show for any left-leaning person looking for a night of comedy that doesn’t challenge them in their beliefs and doesn’t make you have to think too hard to find it funny. This is entertainment for entertainment’s sake; and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Simon Taylor is a Super Funny Boy can be found at Spiegel Zelt in The Garden of Unearthly Delights at 9:30pm nightly, excluding Wednesdays, until March 15th 2020.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/simon-taylor-is-a-super-funny-boy-af2020

Content Warning: M

Official Website: https://simontaylorfunnyboy.com

Performance Reviewed: Tuesday 18th of February at Spiegel Zelt at The Garden of Unearthly Delights

Reviewer Max Ford with friends & Simon Taylor after the show
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Adelaide Fringe Adelaide Fringe 2020

The Audreys – Adelaide Fringe 2020

The Audreys are a triple ARIA Award-winning Australian blues/roots band. They formed in Adelaide in 2004, and made a return to their home town for a one-night-only show in the Octagon at Gluttony for Adelaide Fringe 2020.

The band is comprised principally of Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall, with a cast of rotating musicians who have played with them over the years – however, this particular performance was quite stripped back, with just the two of them onstage with a selection of instruments (ukuleles, bass guitar, melodica). The production was simple, with atmospheric stage lighting, and great sound engineering that let the performances shine through.

They announced their set up front by saying “we’re going to play a lot of sad songs”, to which the audience gave a knowing giggle. It was pretty clear that most of the audience were Audreys fans, with people nodding their heads and singing along – however, any lover of modern music should be able to appreciate The Audreys elegant song-writing, talent and stage presence.

Taasha Coates’ vocals are crooning, seductive and haunting, and Tristan Goodall’s skill with stringed instruments is world-class and effortless in its execution. The chemistry between the two of them is clear, as they hint to their backstory as ex-lovers. Taasha cajoles that the next song will be about all of her ex boyfriends; Tristan sheepishly says that he thinks the whole song was written about him. It’s surprisingly charming, and relatable to anyone who has continued a friendship with an ex.

This show is for fans of blues and roots music, melancholy souls, melodica enthusiasts, anyone who is friends with their ex, lovers of silky smooth, swoon-worthy vocals, and fancy finger work on the guitar.

This was a one-night-only Fringe show, sorry folks! But do check out The Audrey’s tour dates on their website, and watch out for them at a future Adelaide Fringe.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Tickets: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-audreys-af2020

Official Website: https://theaudreys.com.au

Performance reviewed: Saturday 15th Feb, The Octagon at Gluttony