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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  From the icons Gravity & Other Myths, I FINALLY made it to their award-winning show Ten Thousand Hours. A cast of eight elite acrobats, one hour of the most jaw-dropping feats of human strength and precision. This is a show that defies all you think is humanly possible.  What I loved about Ten Thousand Hours, is how it is constructed to look like one long training session. When you enter, the cast is warming up in their individual training gear, setting the tone of pros in action. When the show begins, there are sequences that are clearly rehearsed and timed to perfection, contrasted with others that are improvised in the moment with the help of the audience. All acts however, prove the sheer strength and athleticism of this cast.  They begin stacking themselves into human towers as the first sequence - and you are sat thinking, where on earth can they go from here?! The audience gasps and then erupts into applause at every stunt no matter their age. The live drummi...

  Treating us to a full length musical this Fringe season is local company Gemini Creative Arts, with their joyous production of Crush The Musical . Directed by Sarah Williams and performed by a knockout cast of local talent, Crush is an uplifting celebration of queer love schoolgirl camaraderie! Set in a 1960s British girls’ boarding school, Crush follows a group of students whose free-spirited world is upended when a strict headmistress arrives determined to stamp out rebellion and the budding romance between two girls. What unfolds is a cheeky, heartfelt musical about friendship, first love, and uniting to stand up against oppressive rules. This production is stripped back but has all it needs to shine: A live orchestra arranged by Steven Edis, a full cast with soaring talents, and an excellent use of positioning on a small stage. Williams’ choreography treated the audience to dynamic and visually exciting movements, I especially loved the addition of the hockey tap number, whi...

  You never know what to expect when visiting ILA. The ability of this venue to blend all sensory elements to create an immersive experience that extends beyond just “looking” at art, is truly unique and exciting.    Currently showing here until the 15th of March as part of the Adelaide Festival, is an immersive photography study by South Australian artist Alex Frayne titled ‘Manifest Destiny.’ With a camera in tow, Frayne has photographed his travels across the United States from the lesser known lens. His aim was to explore the ‘fractured psyche of modern America,’ photographing moments, people and landscapes from the West Coast, Deep South and Bible Belt.  Beginning with a playfully fun touch, you are welcomed to a Texas-Style roadhouse that is so realistic that you are asked to not leave without trying their hot sauce! Then, you are bid farewell and ushered into the gallery. Covering the walls floor to ceiling are the shots and stories from Frayne’s travels. What...

  Orchestrating one hour of whimsical, nostalgic fun, is emerging artist Billie-Rose Russell in their debut cabaret ‘All Grown Up (But Not Really). At 11am, The Jade is packed with a room full of adults with teddies on laps, ready to forget our heavy responsibilities for just a short while!  Billie-Rose acts as the vivacious, chaotic host of this early 2000s dreamscape. She bursts in with a bubbly, excitable joy and infectious exuberance, taking us back to a simpler time. Billie-Rose is completely herself and at ease on stage, instantly creating an inviting environment for the audience. The stage is set like her childhood bedroom, so be prepared to be hit with waves of nostalgia as she empties her toy box…! The message of the show is to not be afraid to embrace your inner child, and Billie-Rose has us all do just that.  She authentically shares heartwarming anecdotes from her childhood, from school tuckshops to primary school discos, to having a sensitive attachment to al...

PleaseDon’tCatchMeWhenIFall is a mesmeric contemporary dance work that explores the connective structures that exist in our lives. Developed over time through contact improvisation techniques, the work features two dancers, Cinzia Schincariol and Patrick O’Luanaigh. Decades apart in age, they dance through varied proximities to each other, resisting, surrendering and trusting these physical forces that dictate.  Choreographed by Aimee Raitman, in collaboration with Melbourne-based company Co-Exist Collective, this work is meticulously crafted to construct a narrative that keeps the audience engaged. It is truly meditative watching these dancers at work. They begin pacing, ebbing and flowing around each other, resisting and succumbing to the pull of close proximity to someone. Movements so simple suddenly carry so much meaning in this context that Aimee has decided to explore. Then, there are displays of graceful strength whereby Patrick executes many unconventional lifts of Cinzia,...

  Celebrating the fools and the least “normal” acts in this year's Fringe programme, is Moulin Beige. To preface, there is nothing bland about this late night variety show! From the moment it begins, you are launched into an hour of fun-loving chaos.  Hosting this circus is the cabaret icon, Sharnema Nougar. Keeping the tomfoolery in somewhat check, is “producer” Nicola Pohl, Pinky Von Sox and the Jellyfish. All lean into maximum sillyness, keeping the audience in check with an infectious humour. From comedy to cabaret, audiences each night will be treated to a curated lineup of acts from across the fringe. Poking many funny stabs at the actual Moulin Rouge, I can guarantee you will have more outrageous fun here. The show brings the acts and the audience together for a wild ride. At its heart, it is there to celebrate the wild, bold and whacky artists that grace the Fringe each year. If you never know what to see, start at the Moulin Beige because you will have an absolut...

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Giuseppe’s Love Quest is an hour of hilarious, playful fun that throws you in instantly. Adelaide, Giuseppe is down bad and looking for love, can you help?  Bringing this fun-loving character to life is Jeromaia Detto, a Melbourne based theatre maker who in this show, specialises in contemporary clowning. He has crafted a unique style of performance that is silly, quick and demands that play along!   Jeromaia oozes charm and comfortability onstage. He is there to orchestrate this silly escape, and you cannot help but succumb to his tomfoolery. You forget that he is in fact, playing the role of a hopelessly romantic Italian man.  The show relies on audience participation. Giuseppe asks us the questions about love, kissing, hugging and bambinos, having never experienced any of it himself. Suddenly, the audience is on his side and there to help him. He expertly relies on the audience responses to propel the show, which creates a mischievous and comical...

  IT’S ALIVE! Asks the question - what happens when you have contemporary dancers improvise to a live jazz-funk band? The answer: a groovy, pulsating showcase that cleverly blends two genres that rarely meet.  The work is curated by award-winning choreographer Alix Kuijpers, Thomas Byrne and Mark Lurker who bring together a highly talented bunch of local and interstate dancers and musicians.  What I appreciated most about IT’S ALIVE! is that this concept is an accessible entry point for all audiences, whether you are a fan of contemporary dance or not. Because set to the backdrop of the funky jazz band, you are instantly lost in the rhythm of the music and dancers alike.  Mesmerising to watch, the beats and rhythms of jazz guide the dancers to move in abstract ways. You see them explore a myriad of shapes and movements - isolating body parts that are overcome by the propulsive rhythms and unique musical accents from the sax, synths and the rest. There are moments whe...

  Taking its name from the lists created by the Nazis to target gay men during the Holocaust and long after, is Michael Trauffer’s The Pink List. The show sheds light on an unspoken part of history- you may know that LGBTQ+ people were identified with pink triangles in the Concentration Camps during WWII, however the imprisonment and prosecution of those on the lists continued well after 1945. Most shockingly, it was not until 2002 that the German parliament apologised, and only in 2017, was compensation given to survivors. The Pink List is a story that is hard to hear. It's a poignant reminder about the cyclical nature of history… Yet through the transformative power of sharing stories from repressed voices, Michael leaves you with a deeper sense of empathy and hope. Michael has used real stories and experiences of those impacted by the Nazi regime to create a fictional character in which the show follows. Upon entering the intimate venue, Michael is already there, bundled in a co...

  The Cram Collective’s latest work Meteors is a profoundly personal solo work performed by Melissa Pullinger and directed by Connor Reidy. Also part of the work are Ren Williams, Connor Pullinger and sound designer Will Spartarlis. “Mums. Grief. Stars. Lasagne” is how they have summarised Meteors . However, this piece takes audiences through a profoundly earnest recount of the reality of dealing with loss and the phases that follow. They have expertly stitched together the before, the during, and the after of grieving someone dear that is just beautifully honest, accessible and alluring.  Solo onstage, Melissa is commanding, open, and confidently vulnerable. She instantly welcomes you into this story - some may be apprehensive about watching a work that explores these themes, yet Melissa exudes a sense of gentleness that is instantly settling. Melissa’s storytelling is excellent - perfectly paced and clear to follow, allowing the audience to visualise the realities of the sce...