RAW: Fringe

RAW: Waiting for Godot – Her Majesty’s – June 9 – 12

Jun 12th

Posted by Peter in Theatre

Directed By Sean Mathias

Reviewed By Miriam Keane

Samuel Beckett’s famous composition often leaves individuals struggling to provide a description of just what it is about. In Beckett’s own words, it’s two men “blathering about nothing in particular”. A more accurate summary might be that it explores the themes of life, death, and the waiting game that we all play in-between the two.

On a gloriously bleak set, never defined in time and space, we meet Estragon (Ian McKellen) and Vladimir (Roger Rees). They have come to this place with the usual issues plaguing old men – ill-fitting shoes, bladder control and memory lapses – but there is also the bigger problem of needing to pass the time until Godot comes to meet them. Into the mix come the intimidating and brash Pozzo (Matthew Kelley) and his tethered, downtrodden servant Lucky (Brendan O’Hea); travellers who provide a welcome distraction.

This play has the potential to be very boring. Happily, this was never an issue in the hands of the wonderful talent involved in this particular outing of the piece. Taking Beckett’s complex and often repetitive dialogue, the players turn it into an engaging, and frequently amusing, snapshot of the characters and their plight. Indeed, it is the non-verbal aspects of the performances which are most enthralling and highlight the calibre of those involved.

Exploring the hopelessness and pointlessness of the human condition, this play leaves audiences thinking, while also managing to avoid making them morose. Rather, spirits are lifted by the undeniable feeling of having witnessed something great.

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RAW: Earl Okin – Cabaret Festival

Jun 11th

Posted by Peter in Cabaret

Earl Okin is a funny man. At first blush he is, to look at, one part Roy Orbison and three parts Henry Kissenger. His claims to being a sex symbol are immediately silly as the archetypal  respressed and restrained English gentleman and his guitar greet you and produce a song of such hilarity first up that this hour promises everything Friday evening entertainment can be. Strangely however, and I assume in recognition of this being a cabaret festival, Okin took to playing some straight cabaret ballards that had either no humour or the merest excuse associated with it. As a result moments of the show drifted that had he stuck to a stricter comedy routine would have delighted.

Nonetheless there were magic moments, his tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber and finales to women who aren’t beautiful (because there are so many more of them) were highlights of these. His horn solos were terrific and his puns and double entendres always amusing.

Kryztoff Rating     3.5K

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RAW: Lisette and Her Faux Manouches – Nexus Cabaret – 3rd June

Jun 8th

Posted by Peter in Cabaret

A musical exploration of love and all its pleasures and pains is common fodder for the Cabaret Fringe. But Lisette and Her Faux Manouches promise some less expected songs portrayed in less expected ways (Roy Orbison in Spanish anyone?) and delivers a beautiful and at times tragic review of love in all its forms.

Lisette battled on through a thin audience and an ill-fitting and sterile venue with a voice that drips with experience, aided by her excellent backing band: her faux manouches, or, for the steadfastly mono-lingual, ‘fake gypsies’ . Her voice is unpretentious, she leaves all the vocal acrobatics to the amateurs on reality television shows, and what is left is pure, unguarded and evocative.

Likewise, her musicians are all skilled and understated, and they let the finely crafted songs do the talking, blending the traditional with gypsy, jazz and Cabaret. Lisette served to remind us of the beauty of Jaques Brel, Django Reinhardt, Roy Orbison, and even the James Bond theme; their songs interwoven with her far flung stories of love.

Though one might suspect Lisette’s patter between songs was slightly over-rehearsed and at times was somewhat deflated by the venue and reticent audience (her jokes worked best when off the cuff) Lisette and Her Faux Manouches was close to captivating if for nothing but the music itself – a worthy look for anybody appreciative of music with a European twist.

Kryztoff Rating – 3.5K

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RAW: Dry Martinis & Cigarettes of Doom – Prom – 4th June

Jun 7th

Posted by Peter in Cabaret

The concept of “vaudeville noir” is delightfully promising; take the wonderfully varied and entertaining performance styles of vaudeville and add a dash of mystery and intrigue to create the ultimate cabaret experience. Unfortunately The Dry Martinis and the Cigarettes of Doom did not live up to this potential.

The show consisted of multiple short scenes of an assortment of art-forms; from the usual song and dance, to slapstick interludes, lamentable magic tricks and a somewhat more enjoyable fire-twirling routine. The stage set-up was simple, appropriate and functional, with backdrop banners differentiating scenes effectively. Two major flaws of the show were the slow pace and the stilted transition from one act to another.

The two lead “characters” primarily interacted through tango and, though technically accurate, the lack of emotion and engagement of the performers was disappointing. In contrast, the dance routines performed by ‘The Doomettes’ were undoubtedly the highlights of the show, particularly the cheeky number Senora which lifted the energy in the room and got the audience clapping along. Unfortunately, this momentum was then lost due to the imposition of an unnecessary interval.

Though there appeared to be some effort made to include an overarching plot-line to tie the various aspects of the show together, this was not clear and became even more confused and unfathomable as the performance went on. Overall, the production felt disjointed and, while there were some commendable features, it did not work as a complete package.

Kryztoff Rating   2.5K

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RAW: Bygone Error – Whitmore Hotel – Also 18th & 25th June

Jun 7th

Posted by Peter in Cabaret

Bygone Error are promoted as “purveyors of fine entertainment” and this is a very apt summary. In the function room of the newly refurbished Whitmore Hotel, this father and son team (Paul and Christian Reynolds) take their audience on a whimsical and wholesome journey through the world of the Victorian Music Halls, complete with sing-a-longs and double entendres to spare.

This engaging duo interspersed songs of the era (you’ll be shocked by how many you recognise) with a dash of history – including interesting anecdotes about the composers of said songs and information about the environment they were first performed in – as well as various jokes; some hilarious, some satisfyingly groan-worthy. The music was spot on; both men have pleasing voices that blend well together and lend themselves admirably to the style, while the simple accompaniment was appropriate and well executed.

Despite the drawbacks of low numbers at the late night session and the fact that it was their second show of the evening, the performers kept up an impressive level of energy and engaged the audience throughout. This is a unique, locally produced show, which is highly entertaining, creates joy and will leave you with a smile on your face.

Kryztoff Rating    4.5K

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RAW: Dr Brown Behaves

Mar 15th

Posted by Tom in Comedy

This show is totally unique. With a crowd that was fully prepared to go wherever he would lead, Mr Brown took us to new levels or hilarity and awkwardness, engaging and involving every single audience member in weird and wonderful ways.

Words really can’t describe who Dr Brown is or what he does, he simply has to be seen to be believed.

If you missed him this festival, you must catch him when he returns. To miss this act is a sin.

An extraordinarily special physical comedian. Don’t think. Just sit back and roll with it.

Oh, and if you are going to sit in the front row, make sure you are both comfortable with your own sexuality and keen to try new things.

If this is Dr. Brown behaving, I can’t wait to see him misbehave!

Kryztoff Rating: 5K

>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our latest Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe

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RAW: Bart Freebairn – A Breathtakingly Magical Journey into the Ordinary

Mar 15th

Posted by Tom in Comedy

Life doesn’t always turn out as we had wished as a kid. Which is probably a good thing as if it had most of us Gen Y guys would be either Transformers or Ninja Turtles and Prince Charles would be Camilla’s tampon. Realising that he had no magic powers of his own, Bart Freebairn seeks to find magic in the world around him, learning some harsh lessons about how the real world works along the way.

Incredibly thoughtful, often insightful and continuously witty, Bart’s show is not the joke-a-second gig that some look for. That didn’t worry me. His jokes are incredibly funny – well set up and nicely delivered; the narrative in between engaging and thoughtful. Taboo topics are tackled bravely and irreverently in a show that could best be summed up as a delightful deviation from the real world for a while.

Oh, and his show is opened by a real wizard.

Kryztoff Rating: 3.75K

>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our latest Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe

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RAW: Pony Club @ Tuxedo Cat

Mar 15th

Posted by Tom in Comedy

What is the Pony Club?

Pony Club is a gig run by the incredible Hannah Gadsby in which a bunch of comedians run amuck for an hour of improvisation, singing, dancing, stand-up and impressions. Like a kind of wheels-fell-off theatre sports, this show had the audience literally crying with laughter.

Check out the final Pony Club line-up: Hannah Gadsby, Adam Hills, Amelia Jane Hunter, Damian Callinan, Deanne Smith, David Smiedt, Dave Bloustien, and Rebecca De Unamuno! All in the one improv show! All of these comedians were at the top of their game, revelling in this fantastic opportunity to just be silly.

For a great night out, make sure you catch a Pony Club at the next Fringe and please give a generous donation at the door. Pony Club – mad bang for your buck. Late night comedy at its finest!

Kryztoff Rating: 4.5K

>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our latest Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe

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Good Morning Mr Gershwin – Montalvo-Hervieu Co France – Festival Theatre

Mar 14th

Posted by Peter in Dance

Being 20 in the Twenties when Gershwin was at his best was, as Hemingway suggested, great luck. The Montalvo-Hervieu Company of France took us back there with a stunning and delightful exhibition of energy and grace. This show was greatly enhanced by the stage configuration of dance floor, shanty shed (permitting roof top solos) and a massive video backdrop. The video work was highly complex with many under water scenes, a large sandcastle, the board walk over a threatening sea and a monoshrome slum scene that transformed into colour and activity character by character. The ability of this to share and not dominate the whole stage was terrific and in this era of multi media or layered performances, this was as good as it gets.

All Gershwin’s most enjoyed pieces were there and the pace was kept frenetic and rivetting with the large ensemble of 15 delighting with their dance, emotion and humour.

A great show.

Kryztoff Rating   4.5K

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RAW: Kath On A Hot Tin Roof @ The Austral

Mar 13th

Posted by Rubina in Comedy

Mature comedian Kathryn Bendall is Kath On A Hot Tin Roof: a hypochondriac who tells us her life story. She has some interesting insights on the Australian Labor Party, Gen Y, and her children ‘Meatloaf’, ‘Mashed Potatoes’ and ‘Beans’.

Her occasional references to things like thalidomide, which are not universally recognised by Gen Y or X’s for that matter, are irrelevantly funny. However, Kath’s full life (including three marriages) provide more than enough engaging material for most generations.

Check out this wannabe trophy wife – who looks more like a gay icon!

Kryztoff Rating: 3.5K

>> Check out more interviews, videos, feature articles and polished previews in our latest Fringe Guide, http://www.kryztoff.com/fringe

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