Mar 12

FRINGE – Pat Burtscher’s Overwhelmed – Tuxedo Cat – 3.5K

Sitting through Pat Burtscher’s Overwhelmed, is like hanging out with a good mate who is adept at talking intelligent and amusing crap for an hour.  His demeanor is friendly, if somewhat self-conscious and fidgety, and he engages his audience with what appears to be a stream of consciousness performance that alters each night and continues until the allotted time is up.

You’d be forgiven for thinking he was slightly drunk – what he says often smacks of the potentially world-changing ideas we sometimes think we’ve struck upon after a few too many beers – but he seems to have all his wits about him and some of the points he’s making are actually rather insightful.

The show’s title is apparently a summary of Pat’s feelings towards life, and it’s a feeling that’s not difficult to relate to in today’s world. His view is quite clearly left of centre and he’s not afraid to call people on attitudes and behaviour that he doesn’t agree with, or credit his audience with the ability to appreciate the logic of his arguments against such things.

While some bits fit the usual stand-up formula of “isn’t this thing weird” or “have you ever noticed this”, there are also many sections that are simply funny anecdotes or just general commentary of his thoughts on a topic. In many cases, it’s not actually the content of the stories that is funny but simply the way it’s told. While moments of hilarity were not frequent, there was a constant level of amusement and general enjoyment throughout the show and few segments failed to illicit appreciative laughter.

Kryztoff Rating: 3.5K

Mar 11

FRINGE- Spandexx Ballet- 5K

Local Adelaide dance class troop Spandexx Ballet encompasses everything one could possibly want in an 80’s-themed aerobics class.

The music is loud, perfectly picked to suit the era, and with enough variety to account for taste (or lack thereof).

The costumes are provided, though coming prepared in your own spangly leotard, glittery tights, or fluro legwarmers is encouraged and lauded.

The class itself is fantastic. It is the perfect combination of hilarious dance moves and actual aerobics, leaving you sweating and giggling.

The one-hour class is suitable for all ages, fitness levels, and personality types.

So what are you waiting for? Pull out that high-cut unitard and those well-worn scrunchies hibernating in the bottom of your cupboard and put them to good use.

5K

Mar 09

2014 ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL – Melanie To Kick It Off

adelaide-cabaret-festival-760The Adelaide Cabaret Festival and David M. Hawkins are thrilled to announce that legendary singer- songwriter Melanie Safka is making her long awaited return to Australian shores this June with her People In The Front Row Tour.

 

Melanie first shot to stardom with her unforgettable appearance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The performance prompted the now common phenomenon of signalling an artist for an encore by holding up some form of light (first it was a candle, which merged into lighters, then flashlights and now mobile phones).  In her hit song, ‘Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)’, Melanie shared her experience of when the audience lifted up their candles in the rain during her set at Woodstock.

 

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival will see the world premiere of the People in the Front Row show from 7-9 June in the Dunstan Playhouse, before an Australia-wide tour.

 

melanie-SafkaAdelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Kate Ceberano was thrilled to secure Melanie for her final Festival, saying, “What a joy to have Melanie on board for the 2014 Festival – she’s the female equivalent of Bob Dylan and will have the Playhouse audiences eating out the palm of her hand. This year’s Festival is full of charismatic, inspiring artists – be sure to look out for the full program announcement in early April!”

 

Melanie’s singles ‘Brand New Key (Roller Skate Song)’, ‘Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)’, ‘Peace Will Come’, ‘Look What They’ve  Done To My Song, Ma’ and ‘Ruby Tuesday’ have all achieved Australian chart success with ‘Brand New Key’ reaching #1  and remaining in the charts for 18 weeks in 1971. In the USA, Melanie has had 13 Top 40 hits, including three number one hits.

 

A true pioneer for female musicians, Melanie’s long list of achievements boasts a number of firsts including:

 

·         The first female performer to have three Top 40 hits concurrently: ‘Brand New Key’, ‘The Nickel Song’ and ‘Ring the Living Bell’

 

·         The first Solo/Pop/Rock Artist ever to appear before the General Assembly of the United Nations

·         The first Solo/Pop/Rock Artist ever to appear at Carnegie Hall

·         The first Solo/Pop/Rock Artist ever to appear at The Metropolitan Opera House

·         The first Solo female artist who sold out the Amsterdam Concertgebouw

 

Melanie’s list of accolades and acclaim certainly is an extensive one but as the New York Times suggests, “Melanie is an artist who has no need to ‘LAY DOWN’ everything she has done to take her place in music history!”

 

Australia has always held a special place in Melanie’s heart after her numerous visits throughout the seventies, one of which included another first: Melanie was the first commercial artist to perform on the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage. Melanie’s last Melbourne appearance saw two shows extended into twelve sold out concerts at the Dallas Brooks Hall in 1977.

 

Melanie said, “Since we started talking about coming back “down under” I’ve been looking at a photo of my two daughters and me with a koala that was taken last time we were there.  I remember clearly how beautiful the country was and how warm and welcoming you Aussies are.  My son, and guitarist, Beau Jarred, was not born yet but he’ll be with me this time and, hopefully, we’ll get the opportunity of meeting another koala. I did always mean to come back sooner but life often doesn’t quite follow our plans … I’m sure you know how that goes!”

 

A new generation was exposed to Melanie with the release of the Hilltop Hoods’ hit song ‘The Nosebleed Section’ that included a sample of Melanie‘s ‘People in the Front Row’.  ‘The Nosebleed Section’ was a huge hit for the “Hoods”, coming in at No. 9 on triple j’s Hottest 100 in 2003 and No. 17 on the station’s Hottest 100 of All Time released in 2009.

 

In this intimate evening of song, Melanie will be accompanied by her son Beau Jarred Schekeryk on Guitar, Andrew Worboys on Piano, Dave Hatch on Drums and Tina Harris on Bass.

 

This will truly be a night not to miss of wonderful music that spoke to a generation and beyond. Melanie will present all her hits and some new compositions all woven together with her witty stories of a career that is nothing short of extraordinary.

 

WHAT                           MELANIE – PEOPLE IN THE FRONT ROW

WHEN                          Saturday 7 June 6.30pm, Sunday 8 June 2pm, Monday 9 June 6.30pm

VENUE                         Dunstan Playhouse

COST                           Tickets from $59.90 – on sale Friday 28 February

BOOKINGS                   BASS 131 246 or online at bass.net.au

MORE INFO                  For further information visit: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au  

Get social with us on Twitter @AdelaideCabaret #adcabfest

Facebook facebook.com/adelaidecabaretfestival

 

Mar 09

Adelaide Fringe – History of Autism – 3.5K

History of Autism is an honest, compelling and witty production which explores the history of Autism and its current misunderstandings.

The production’s use of humour is persuasive and innovative. The writing is witty and entertaining but conveys a clear and informative message. The story tells the tale of Autism from ‘the boy who was raised by wolves’ to the modern diagnosis. The story is comprised of multiple scenes set across the world and the nineteenth century.  During stage breaks digital stories of the actors are told, these stories are frank and heart-warming. In my favourite tale, one of the actresses asserts that she has achieved everything in her life because of her Autism, instead of in spite of it. The set is Spartan, but is employed cleverly. The lack of props brings the audience’s eye back to the performers. Apart from a few missed or slipped lines, the performance is strong, particularly the impersonations and accents. The Elvis impersonation is particularly entertaining.

The entire cast is on the Autism Spectrum. This gives an interesting and somewhat uncommon perspective to the performance. For this reason many of these stories and many of the skits in the main performance raise interesting questions and concepts. The play asks why Autism and those affected by it are not more openly discussed in modern society. Further it seeks to remove the stigma surrounding the Autism spectrum. In this regard it does well; through absolute transparency and open discussion these issues are raised and talked about.

The history of Autism is tragic, riddled with misdiagnoses and incompetence. But the tale is fascinating in spite of this. The tale is well performed and the personal stories are raw and enlightening.

3.5K

Mar 09

5 Step Guide to Being German

by Heather-Jean Moyes
Paco Erhard reflects society in all its weird and maybe not so wonderful incarnations. Grit your teeth and take a deep breathe. Clever and crazy these Germans. The rest of the world gets a taste too. It’s fresh, insightful and enlivening even if a little uncomfortable. Go with it and it’s hilarious but leave your precious sensitivities at the door. Herr Erhard is in town! See him Sun 9th and Tues 11th thru Sun 16th at The Austral – The Bunka. Rating 3.5 k

Mar 09

Airline

by Heather-Jean Moyes
Wayne Deakin was very good! He played airhost (or cabin crew) to the front two rows! Gave them drinks and all! He really shone as he connected with the audience in ad lib moments. His impromptu comedy was well honed! He relayed stories and jokes about airlines and they were entertaining. However I was surprised they were not updated by recent Qantas events! And I hope the tragic events, of the last 24 hours doesn’t put you off. There’s definitely no reference to Malaysia. The routine is funny partially because of airline foible recognition but really because he engages the punters and creates a relationship. His forte is ad libbing with the audience – definitely his funniest moments! Worth the airfare. Catch a flight – Sun 9th and Tues 11th thru Sun 16th at The Producer’s Garden. Rating 3.5k

Mar 08

FRINGE – Chris Turner – Pretty Fly – Croquet Club – 3.5K

By Snoop Dogg (aka Peter Maddern)

Yo all you men and your bitches,

This man Turner will have you in stitches

Well maybe not right from the start

Cos he don’t really much look the part.

You see he’s blonde and he’s really pale

Christ you look twice to see if he’s male

And he aint like us, he aint no blinged up nigga

In fact our Mr T’s some pommy silver spoona.

His mate Stu, he’s one that’s real strange

And all Chris’ lion jokes have the mange

But you’ll like him, he smiles and he’s fun

Even if you do have sit through all his 50 puns

 

I’m not sure this is any rapper show

Cos he respects women and has no dough

He’s studied rocks and his accent sucks

(But shit man) Like this is the Fringe, so wtf

And man be sure to hang in there long

Cos he pops his veins with his final song.

Oh Mr Chris, do stay clear of our midday sun

Cos you’re worth seeing again for all that  fun.

 

(With apologies to all hip-hop artists and those who study the English language, including grammarians.)

 

Kryztoff Rating  3.5K

Mar 08

FESTIVAL – Unsound Adelaide – Snowtown: Live – Town Hall – 5K

festival-poster

By Peter Maddern

Once most years at the Fringe or Festival, one will witness something sublimely terrific that is gripping in its imagery and production. Snowtown: Live on Thursday evening was one such experience for this reviewer.

Of course there is nothing pretty about the whole Snowtown saga and many distanced themselves from Justin Kurzel’s 2011 movie on account of its reality (remember silly Richard Wilkins?) Then Kurzel chose to beef up its impact by using unknown actors to play out the story that happened around Salisbury and Elizabeth in advance of the horror of the acid barrels some 100kms north in Snowtown.

Here, using footage taken then but not previously used, Kurzel produces an hour long film that is very much a portrait of the area and its people, with only glimpses of the actors used in the film and a lot more of the local inhabitants and their homes.

To this is added his brother’s Jed’s award winning score to the film, a piece entirely in keeping with the deeply unsettling vision which is mostly delivered in slow motion.

UNSOUND_SNOWTOWN_LIVE_AND_STARS_OF_THE_LID_adelaide_festival_gallery_5_220x332After a seemingly endless motor cycle ride on a levee between two salt water lakes, we start with some pre-teenage kids playing on a swing in the rain; a most unnerving and discombobulating opening where an intense, gut instinct of fear of something untoward about to happen kicks in. From there we visit upon locals at home, with their trademark tatts and nipple rings before unkempt yards full of tyre rims, upturned shopping carts, abandoned toys and other indulgences, young kids with tops on inside out showing off their mullet haircuts, all carrying all manner of obese physiques.

Three sequences then used standout; first an elderly lady being adored by her licking dogs, then a pre-pubescent girl getting dressed in the mirror before going off to face her day and finally a python gorging itself on a (thankfully) dead mouse – the last of these perhaps as fitting and gross a metaphor for the Snowtown story as there is.

Jed’s score maintains a haunting vibration throughout, mostly delivered by two synths, two guitars and drums but also with occasional cello input. Sometimes it crashes, or holds you in suspense but never is there an upbeat note.

In the context of the upcoming State election being fought strongly around economic management, this was all most poignant – who has been thinking about the welfare of these people who, while seemingly a world away from Thursday’s Town Hall venue, are in fact just a mere 15kms north? Certainly I did not see any of the local members of that area standing up in the foyer at the break proclaiming proudly – ‘them’s my boys!’

Of course, such a sixty minutes is not for everyone and whether those in another city or country will be willing to see their own on the screen is up for debate but when you line up last year’s fairy floss 2001 Space Odyssey music night at the Festival Theatre and this, Snowtown: Live is a triumph and a real Festival highlight.

Kryztoff Rating   5K

Mar 08

FRINGE – A Nightmare on Love Street – Gluttony – 3.5K

By Peter Maddern

If horror films are your thing and especially if you can’t stop watching the classics, then A Nightmare on Love Street may very well be your late night Fringe fix this year.

From ten classics, five are chosen by the audience from whence our two performers go at bringing the big moments to us in a 500 revs per second showdown between violence and passion. A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Evil Dead, The Shining and so it went on. It was never obvious when one film’s parody ended and the next started, not that it mattered because watching was an exhausting experience in itself, slickly done from the time you enter to the encouragement of some cross dressing to the bloody, doomed finale.

This is a Freddy fix, a here’s Johnny jaunt by two performers whom will never get offered roles as the dying Swan in Swan Lake.

Kryztoff Rating  3.5K

Mar 08

FRINGE – Light Camera Action – The Soul Box – 2.5K

By Peter Maddern

Light painting photography involves the use of moving light before a camera set with a slow shutter speed. The result can often be a stunning formation of swirls and figures that no individual could have predicted watching its production. However, ensuring great outcomes can often confound even the most agile of exponents especially when done before a live audience.

Media Flea and Laugh Anon’s Light, Camera Action show takes us through such productions often incorporating members of the audience and incorporating mood music along the way. The show is slick and enthusiastically hosted but the results were often a little underwhelming – there just seemed too much ambient light that always gave the outcomes a lack of starkness between the light and the dark. Still, you can’t have everything in a show like this.

The other criticism was to eschew very early on the technical aspects of the process. Maybe reflecting my interest in photography which got me to the show in the first place, the relationship between the how and what is produced could have beefed up the show and through providing a better understanding of the difficulties of the process overcome any disappointments with the results. Dropping those aspects in favour of what was perceived as being more audience friendly subject matter like Darth Vader and Hogwarts derogated from it all.

What can’t be criticised was the cupcakes provided upon the departure – delicious.

Kryztoff Rating   2.5K