Feb 23

FRINGE: THEATRE – My Name is Saoirse – Noel Lothian Hall, Adelaide Botanic Garden – 4K

In My Name is Saoirse, the prose of writer/performer Eva O’Connor accomplishes that feat which Irish writers seem to do so well – a simple story is told with eloquence and honesty. The words create a detailed and intriguing depiction of the world in which Saoirse lives, both physically and inside her head. It’s a story of friendship and of family, of growing up, of feeling lost and of searching for something that will fix whatever it is that’s missing in your life.

O’Connor’s performance is excellent. It feels detached, but in a strangely appropriate way – as if Saoirse cannot fathom the story she is telling and can only recount it by distancing herself from the events she is describing. When she inhabits the other characters in the tale, particularly her best friend Siobhan, there is an instant shift in energy and power which provides a pleasing juxtaposition.

The direction of Hildegard Ryan uses the space and lighting well, providing variation in movement while not seeming repetitive or disingenuous, and clearly delineating the shifts in time imperative to the story. This is a polished production of an engaging tale, told with empathy and sincerity.

Kryztoff rating: 4K

Feb 23

CIRQUE NOCTURNE – ADL FRINGE 2017

Young, newly formed Adelaide troupe Cirque Nocturne are appearing at the Empyrean at Gluttony until March 5th.

Aiming for a film noir aesthetic they present various circus style acts including hoop twirling, juggling, acrobatics, and trapeze.  The stand out performance is a skilled demonstration of fire twirling which is well coordinated with the music and during which the overly bright lights are thankfully dimmed.

The incorporation of some self-deprecating humour wouldn’t go astray in this somewhat serious and self-conscious show.

The concept is interesting and with more development, appropriate lighting, and practice,  the show could come together better as the season progresses.

Kryztoff Rating 2.5K

Feb 23

FRINGE 2017 – Burlesque Beats – Gluttony – 4K

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Hip hop and burlesque – not your average pairing, but one that Perth-based show Burlesque Beats manages to mix together quite well.

It’s their first time touring their show outside of Fringe World in Perth, and Burlesque Beats is certainly a new addition to the enormous cabaret scene at the Fringe. The show alternates between daring burlesque performances, freestyle rap, and getting the audience involved in an updated rendition of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.

The burlesque performances certainly are talented. With gorgeous performers like Betty Bombshell and the show’s producer, Kenjai, the burlesque beauties strut their stuff to famous and original hip hop tunes – and it works! The hip hop and burlesque elements come together well in the numbers, and each dancer manages to work elements of traditional burlesque into the hip hop rhythms.

Similarly, the freestyle rap performances are incredible. Macshane and Dazastah work well to pump up the crowd, get them involved, and prove their hip hop and rap credibility with inventive and entertaining numbers.

The only misstep was a number called “Woody Woodpecker”. The song, which was ostensibly about a girl Dazastah knew in his youth that liked to ‘sleep around’, seemed out of place for a show filled with burlesque, which is traditionally applauded as a form of dance that empowers women to embrace their curves, sexuality, and to own their bodies. A song that essentially defames and humiliates a woman for doing just that didn’t gel with the rest of the show, and was something that this reviewer found a bit jarring.

However, aside from that one number, Burlesque Beats was an entertaining show that managed to cleverly mix two traditionally opposing genres of music. It’s only on for four more days, so be sure to grab tickets if you can.

Kryztoff rating: 4K

Feb 22

FRINGE 2017 – Soweto Gospel Choir – The Panama Club, Royal Croquet Club – 4.5K

A lot of Fringe acts are unknown quantities – in buying tickets for a show, you are effectively taking a punt on whether the performance is going to be any good. But then there are some acts with such international clout and strong reputation preceding them that you know that the experience is going to be fantastic, come what may.

The Soweto Gospel Choir is one such group. Formed in 2002, the South-African based, Grammy-award winning troupe has toured internationally and performed in Adelaide on several previous occasions, always to enormous acclaim. And the 2017 Fringe Festival has proved to be no exception, with the audience enthralled from the very first, very high note.

Performing mainly traditional South African gospel and “freedom” songs, interspersed with English-language classics including “When the Saints go Marching In” and a unique version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, each member of the choir is highlighted with a spectacular vocal solo and, on several occasions, a very entertaining dance off. Perhaps I am the only person who amuses themselves, when watching choirs, by trying to identify the less strong performers in any event, a completely redundant exercise for this show, because every single member shone in their own right.

As to negatives – the show was far too short at only one hour, and I was disappointed by the lack of an encore. I’m considering going along at least one more time to get what I consider to be my fill of this sublime choir, or at least lobbying for them to stay on for WOMADelaide.

The Soweto Gospel Choir is a blaze of joyous glory, fabulous colour and uplifting entertainment. I challenge you to go along to this show and leave without a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

4.5K

 

Feb 22

CIRQUE AFRICA – FRINGE 2017 – 5K

Cirque Africa, appearing for the first time in Adelaide, is a very professional but fresh high energy show featuring incredible athletes and musicians.  The live musical accompaniment was a wonderful constant whose timing, and that of the acrobats, was spot on.

Arriving a few minutes late for this show I was amazed to find the audience already cheering, clapping and stamping their feet.  Their enthusiasm did not abate for the duration of the show and they left smiling, laughing, and full of praise.  Being a Sunday there were many family groups in attendance and it was obvious that it was enjoyed by people of all ages.

Expertly presented by Wilson Ruddle, himself an ex-acrobat and the trainer of this troupe, this colourful vibrant show featuring performers from four African countries astonishes with its levels of strength and skill, daring and enthusiasm, humour and beauty.  The cast are very friendly and more than happy to chat and share their stories after the show.

Highly recommended.

Kryztoff Rating 5K.

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CIRQUE AFRICA BIG TOP – HINDMARSH SQUARE

Feb 22

FRINGE 2017: Neel Kolhatkar – #ObjectifyNeel – 4K

By Anthony Nguyen

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At only 22 years of age, Sydney-based comedian, Neel Kolhatkar, is experienced in the comedy scene and has made a name on Youtube making comedic videos with over 350,000 subscribers. And so, Kolhatkar steps off the screen and onto the stage bringing his new comedy tour aptly titled #ObjectifyNeel to the 2017 Adelaide Fringe for two nights.

Kolhatkar unapologetically delivers irreverent and uncensored humour examining race, culture, and politics in Australia. Critiquing of the monotony of Australian television, obsessions with social media, and topped with a plethora of race-based jokes, Kolhatkar will leave you laughing uncomfortably in your seats.

Though there were awkward one on one interactions with the audience, Kolhatkar cleverly plays off the crowd’s response very humorously. Kolhatkar skillfully uses accents to deliver his jokes, adding to the crudeness and hilarity of the comedy. By entering in with a desensitized mind, you’ll truly enjoy Neel’s boundary-breaking comedy as he explores topics that will leave you questioning if he really just said that.

Situated at the Arkaba Hotel, Neel Kolhatkar had a short 2017 Adelaide Fringe run for two nights on the 17th and 18th of February. However as a rising entertainer, you can expect to see more of his comedy work on stage in the future and on his Youtube channel.

Kryztoff Rating: 4K

Feb 22

FRINGE CABARET – Blanc de Blanc – Garden – 4K

BlancdeBlancFringe_cropBy Peter Maddern

The Strut & Fret Production House has a happy and fruitful knack of turning out circus productions that each year sit front and centre of not only the Garden of Unearthly Delights campus in the East Parklands but also people’s “must see” lists for the Fringe.

Blanc de Blanc won’t disappoint those who make a bee line for their shows each year; it’s a pumping bawdy indulgence in anything but French chic and elegance.

From the opening big bars of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue we get taken to a place where Jay Gatsby would not seem out of place. But as our MC, Romeo, quickly reminds us, in a terribly deep accent, we are in France now and thus a Moulin Rouge atmosphere quickly grips (which it must be said descends later into something more akin to the Crazy Horse) and from there it is “on for young and old.”

Two acts transcended the frills and froth, the champers and the crass. Idiot savant Spencer’s (Adelaide’s Spencer Novich) mime display in the first half was scintillating; clever, inventive and precise in equal and abundant measures. The second half’s duo trapeze act from the spa bath was breathtaking for the beauty and ease of movement – perhaps the best there has ever been seen in Adelaide.

2017 logoOne may also make mention of the Asian contortionist who spruiked two nipple rings which, after attending Prohibition, makes me wonder whether these are now mandatory garb for such performers.

The water, like the champagne flowed freely, sometimes onto the audience like one of those burst water mains Minister Hunter declines to attend, but as the show wore on the bawdy was accompanied by “wardrobe malfunctions” and then full frontal nudity.

Whether this is the way these shows have to now go, when there so much rivalry for the best circus act in the Fringe, is as unclear as whether this is a good thing. Prudishness aside, artistic talent has tended to win out in the past but beyond the aforementioned performers exceptional talent was in short supply last night – one dancer made provocative use of her nether regions while Romeo’s skills seemed limited to his hirsute body. You can get all this, as the ads say, “with free admission before 9” down Hindley Street.

Still at 100 minutes, Blanc de Blanc is anything but vainlla and, if you have the coin, a great night’s entertainment is assured. Just go with an open mind and maybe leave the kids at home.

Kryztoff Rating  4K

Feb 22

FRINGE THEATRE – Adventure Before Dementia – GC – 4K

John Sabine as Old Jack - In Action #1At Fringe time there is no shortage of sweet and talented young things strutting their stuff, contorting their bodies and voices in pursuit of contorting yours. Octogenarian, John Sabine, makes for a blissful release from such physical intimidation with his delightful hour of poetry and storytelling at the GC on Flinders Street.

Mostly his own work, the Aussie Gleeman discusses what it is to be old and how he hankered to be a clown, recalling the stories of unhappy cows and why wombats have hairy noses. His two pieces on political correctness and Viagra are rippers.

This experienced man – not only as an actor – deserves attention on a quiet Sunday afternoon (next two weeks only at 4pm) for, as he notes, who knows how long it will be before his adventure is blighted by dementia and his musings lost forever.

In a Fringe where fresh is the oddity, John Sabine proves the old can be new – a 2017 Fringe treat.

Kryztoff Rating  4K

Feb 22

FRINGE 2017: Fuego Carnal – Empyrean – Gluttony – 4K

By Tom Eckert

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Fuego Carnal is a landscape of family friendly S&M undertones circus, Spanish accents and quite a lot of fire.

Much like the stock examples of this type of show each performer appears to have a specialty that they perform for the crowd. many of these are very impressive but lose their awe-inspiring nature in the presence of the veritable multitudes of accomplished acrobats.

This show however is a testament to the fact that you can take something (more than) ordinary and set it on fire and suddenly it becomes incredibly entertaining.

Thrilling as the acts are the show seems to lack something of a creative soul. With ample opportunity to create stories or even use the fiery elements to create drama to create drama or commentary it is a shame that Fuego Carnal instead neglects this in favor of a flash of light and heat whilst performing an admirable feat. An end in and of itself as opposed to the means to some higher artistic aim.

Nonetheless thrilling and entertaining the performance could not be performed in any other venue and is still thoroughly enjoyable.

Kryztoff Rating: 4K

 

Feb 22

FRINGE 2017: Clairy Browne – Spiegel Tent – The Garden of Unearthly Delights – 4K

By Tom Eckert

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Clairy Browne is an unapologetic thunderstorm of a vision straight out of an R&B fantasy. manifesting old styles from the golden years of the genre, she brings it into the 21st century on wings of what she’ll do to anyone who dares cross her.

Right from the first beat she’s belting with the best and doesn’t relent for an hour. With strong turns, vocally demanding melody lines and the confidence of someone who knows how easily she could bring someone to their knees she runs through the tracks of her new album POOL largely concerned with how she owns her body in the club and the myriad of ways she will destroy a man who comes looking to mess around.

This is not a show for children and Browne does not even consider pandering to the opinions of an audience and is simply there to express her view of the world.

The band is tight with unassailable grooves and strong back-up vocals. The Brooklyn hipster aesthetic is however somewhat incongruous with Browne’s own which is closer to a soul diva. So too much of the instrumental support is provided through a sythesiser and keyboard which someewhat pales in comparison to a real big band live in terms of impact and quality. As a result much of the performance is somewhat effects heavy. The stage setup leaves something to be desired as well with the band and often Browne herself stuck behind a wall of foldback amplifiers. With the personality to own the stage, Browne should capitalise on the space to get in the face of the audience.

If not for the fact it was the first show on a Tuesday night and the less-than-full house this would be a stellar show to go to. Find yourself there late on a weekend and you’re bound to have a good time.

Kryztoff Rating: 4K