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Tomas Clifford Got Stood Up → Adelaide Fringe

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I’m going to get straight to the point. Tomas Clifford is a star. His cabaret style is in a league of its own. This show was phenomenal! That is all. …but please keep reading!  From Perth/Boorloo, Tomas Clifford brought his award-winning musical cabaret Tomas Clifford Got Stood Up to the Adelaide Fringe. Tomas has composed a full show that stemmed from a fateful evening where his date never showed up. And to that person, I say thank you, because thanks to him, this magnificent cabaret was born! Tomas takes us through many comedic stories and anecdotes from his childhood to adulthood, giving us a real coming of age narrative about identity and coming out.  Where Tomas stands above the rest, is that he is backed by a live jazz band of six musicians (on, keys, trumpet, saxophone, drums, guitar and bass) and two backup vocalists. As a result, Tomas’ score and storytelling becomes even more amplified and immersive. Leveling up the production value, is Tomas’ flashy use of lighting,...
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Fuccbois Live in Concert → Adelaide Fringe

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This band is every woman’s worst nightmare. Yet somehow these lovable goofs have made their way into the hearts of millions of fans, and Adelaide Fringe gets the pleasure of seeing their final show EVER as a boy band. Fuccbois Live in Concert is an absolute riot from start to finish! I think I died laughing.  The band consists of Brendan, Brandon, Tyler and Also Brendan, who are played by an amazing cast of women in male drag: Bridie Connell, Clara Harrison, Vidya Makan, Megan Walshe. The show also features Orya Golgowsky as Micaela, The Tour Manager.  The audience is instantly thrown into the stadium filled with 90,000 fans, as the band just tries to get through their final show without any major, career-ending debacles. You will have to see for yourself if they actually get through it…!  The cast just nail the exaggerated mannerisms and every stereotype that exists about a group of talentless lads who skyrocketed to fame. From the band member who falls in love with ever...
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Beautiful Lies → Adelaide Fringe

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  Thematically approaching the concept of ‘lies,’ Matt Hawke has crafted a beautiful debut Fringe show that is equally comedic and reflective. Hawke’s concept asks us to consider the lies that we are told from birth, the white lies we tell others, and the lies we tell ourselves, reflecting on their impacts across our lives.  Hawke begins with an at ease charisma and dry sense of humour that lands with the audience instantly. In between his anecdotes, are the songs he has composed for the show. Some of them exaggerated and satirical (like the one about John Cena faking his wrestling, LOL) and others written to be impactful and emotive. His final, gentle song titled Beautiful Lies is particularly impactful, as just his soft vocals and guitar hum through the audience.  I admired how he unapologetically lets the audience into his wild thoughts and worries, using his cheeky and dark humour to his advantage, crafting a unique cabaret style. When the show comes full circle to it...
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unmothered → Dead Darling Theatre

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  I am very lucky to share that I happened to see unmothered last year in its early stages of development. Even then, it was something special. Seeing the work now as part of the Fringe Festival, Dead Dealing Theatre has developed unmothered into a deeply affecting piece of theatre.  unmothered was written and composed by Amelia Rooney, and is directed by Hannah Smith. Noella Grace Akimana and Eliza Barnes are also contributors to the writing process. unmothered explores the emotional inheritance passed between three generations of women. The piece unfolds as a song cycle, sewn together with vignettes of scenes that track the Daughter’s life, as well as flashbacks to Mother and Grandmother.  In these roles are Lisa Lanzi as Grandmother, Katrina Ryan as Mother, and Jordan Bender as Daughter. Each woman handles the show’s tough themes with delicacy and a welcoming sense of gentleness. Their identities, fears and insecurities have been shaped by each other, and each chara...
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The Perfect Life (A Musical by Amity Dry) → Adelaide Fringe

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  Four women. Four far-from perfect lives. One unshakable bond. The Perfect Life is a musical that brings women’s stories about love, grief, parenthood and careers into a much needed limelight.  Written by Amity Dry and directed by Jo Casson, The Perfect Life is a work that was developed in South Australia by an incredible team - and the commitment to the craftsmanship of this musical shows. Amity Dry plays the role of Lily, joined with Kerrie Anne Greenland as Kate, Dee Farnell as Bec, and Chloe Zuel as Jess. The show opens at Lily’s chapel cafe at Friday night drinks. Initially it appears that all women have it together, however the image of their “perfect” lives quickly begin to shatter. Keeping this group afloat is their sisterhood (and a little bit of song and dance!) and over time, these pieces are put back together, highlighting the transformative power of female friendships and support systems.  The plot tackles the relatable, contemporary challenges faced by wo...
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Phoebs, You’re a Lesbian → Adelaide Fringe

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  They say everything happens for a reason - so perhaps if Courtney Monsma never blew Phoebe Rodger a kiss during the curtain call of Wicked , and Phoebe never ended up in hospital as a result of said kiss, then we may not have ever been treated to this delightful cabaret! And if you’re curious about how these events are connected, you will just have to see the show! Phoebs, You’re a Lesbian marks a stellar Fringe debut from Phoebe Rodger. This one woman cabaret is a charming and cheeky plunge into queer identity and self-discovery. Additionally, Rodger does not shy away from political and societal commentary that purposefully bites, bringing her whole show together with a message about recognition of the past and acceptance of others.  The show begins with anecdotes of Phoebe’s road to the discovery of her queer self - from the embarrassingly “late” first kiss to being attracted to “feminine” men. In true cabaret fashion, she sings through most of these tales and even effort...
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Love is a Game: An Adele Song Cycle → Adelaide Fringe

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  Oh My God, I truly don’t know how else I can praise Love is a Game: An Adele Song Cycle in ways that have not already been said. The concept, the craftsmanship, the CAST cannot be faulted, I am only kicking myself now for not seeing this more than once!  Created by Oliver John, who is also in the cast, Love is a Game is an immaculately constructed work that seamlessly weaves together the hits from Adele into a collection of vignettes about love in all forms. What a unique way to pay tribute to an artist that is far beyond the choice to cover their songs. The show takes Adele’s lyrics and storytelling and brings them to life in a series of scenes whereby the cast ebb and flow through a myriad of relationship archetypes and the emotions felt. This has the audience incredibly hooked and invested from the start.  The cast is a harmonious group, all getting a chance to shine individually, but their strength lies in their ability to be a collective. The layering of the cas...
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