The Producers - The Cranny. 27 Feb 2016
Ahir has come a long way for his first of, what one hopes to be, many performances on our sunny side of the world!
A self-confessed lecturer, Ahir is incredibly intelligent, well read, and politically left leaning – or is that liberal? It’s so hard to tell with today’s political parties. Regardless, it is a stand-up show worth standing up for.
Don’t feel bad if you occasionally struggle to keep up with some of the complex humour. He is cleverer than most of us will ever hope to be. It is a comedy show that inspires one to paint a placard and take to the streets in errant – nay honourable – support of some cause dear to our hearts, or even perhaps his!
Nothing is safely out of Shah’s ridiculous reach. Isis gets a blasting, as does Abbott and Turnbull. Shah is trying a mixture of his old and new humour to see what Australian audiences will relate to. We are a small audience, no mean feat for a comedian to control – but we are at his mercy. One would happily sit and listen to what he has to say for hours on end irrespective of whether it was funny or not. His opinions are simply worth hearing.
It is contemporary comedy. The shine is missing, but it will come with time and experience. The raw gem has all the potential of a beautifully polished gemstone and one is pleased to have witnessed its unearthing at this, Shah’s inaugural Adelaide Fringe.
Here’s hoping he returns to do it all again next year, with plenty of new insights and well-formed opinions to share with us all.
Don’t miss it, just in case we Aussies have scared him off!
Paul Rodda
When: 27 Feb to 13 Mar
Where: The Producers Cranny/Warehouse
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Mary Tobin Presents. Arts Theatre. 26 Feb 2016
Stephen K Amos returns this year to an ever-growing Adelaide Fringe and welcoming an audience ready for a laugh.
His latest show delivers in spades, from private moments in business class showers, to enlightening conversations with touring companions. Whilst these irreverent tales keep the giggles coming, Amos saves the cream of his cutting wit for the modern day desire for confrontation. To his dismay, everyone has now been given a voice by the Internet, including those perhaps lacking the mental prowess to desire it. Recounting many observed gems from the wonderful world wide web, his take on the virtue of starting arguments for the sake of it and sharing ones opinions without filter via social media will leave you in stitches.
As you would expect in any comedy show worth it's salt, the front few rows are shaken down to see what falls out; Amos didn't have far to go before uncovering a particularly chatty young man out for the evening with his mum. You'll struggle to find a comedian more capable of drawing out an awkward yet hilarious audience interaction, the poor guy never stood a chance.
Don't miss your opportunity to see Amos on our shores at this year's Fringe, lest he doesn’t return soon enough!
Nicole Russo
When: 26 Feb to 13 Mar
Where: Arts Theatre
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Concrete Drops. Tuxedo Cat - Perske Pavilion. 28 Feb 2016
This is definitely the most intriguing theatre I have seen in a very long time. Unfortunately, I can tell you very little about without the risk of lessening your enjoyment of working it out for yourself. My lips are sealed. Safe to say it's a two hander, a man and a woman, and the man, in real life - Martin Dockery, wrote the one hour show, and his co-actor, Vanessa Quesnelle, was the dramaturg. The play debuted almost two years ago and has had successful touring seasons, as well as the couple's other plays.
I have never felt so off balance, so not-in-control of my understanding of what I was watching, yet by the finale, a complete, intriguing and unexpected narrative emerges, like swamp gas, and smacks you in the face so hard you may cry. The performances are acutely naturalistic helped by dialogue that is written with the exciting contemporary immediacy of Neil LaBute. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. There is a constant shift of hierarchy - probably the most important device in character relationships, the sands of time are like quicksand, and even the characters play act. Whoooo-aaaaah! Double bravo! A must see.
P.S. Due to the crappy start time of 9:45 pm, tix are often on the daily 1/2 price list.
David Grybowski
When: 25 Feb to 14 Mar
Where: Tuxedo Cat - Perske Pavilion
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Hat Inc. Grace Emily Hotel. 28 Feb 2016
In a dozen songs, Hat Inc has summed up our fair city. These five singer-songsmiths show the love of our square mile with these delightful ditties. Mainly in the folk tradition, ranging from the grand sweep of history, such as Alan Hartley's opener, Adelaide Anthem, to biographical portraits of Adelaidean luminaries, there is not a single weak link in this strong chain of original songs.
Matt Swayne shows the funny bone in his explanations of the origin of the butcher-size beer and the nexus between churches and weird murders. Ivo Kirkpatrick paints a pink portrait of the beloved Don Dunstan's myriad social reforms while Paula Standing focuses on the Star Force siege of Stormy Summers's Light Square abode. Alan Hartley and Keith Preston take the wider and sweeping view of history and events. Hindley Street and the now mythical Floating Palais get attention from Paul Roberts and Elizabeth Reid respectively.
There is lots to sing about and often to praise - from livability to a history of wowserism - indeed, say Some Say We Shouldn't Tango. A chord that touched me was that while the east coasters neglect us, we also like to keep our Light under a bushel less we become overcrowded and charmless. And speaking of chords, the musicians support each other with terrific arrangements, and the songs themselves are full of surprises both musically and lyrically. Hats off to Hats Inc! Bravo!
David Grybowski
When: 28 Feb, 5 & 6 Mar
Where: Grace Emily Hotel
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Flamenco Areti. Nexus. 28 Feb 16
Chicas Flamencas! explodes onto the stage from the first minute and doesn’t let up until the end.
Areti Boyaci’s production has been going strong since 2014 and it’s easy to see why. The dancers are perfection; in precise rapid fire footwork, flawless poise and superbly measured in passionate expression of Flamenco. Adding to the strength of the production is the impressive Spanish singer Olayo Jimenez, leading the guitarists and serenading the dance with intense feeling and unsurpassed vigour.
Flamenco’s sheer power gets a rich work out from the strong female ensemble. They tackle a challenging blend of styles and traditional forms with singular ease, be it involving fan dance, with cane, or in solo performance, Boyaci herself with shawl. Power, vibrantly costumed beauty and unity are always to the forefront.
Reinforcing the production’s totally focused dance excellence is the rousing closing appearance of Fernando Mira, first famed for his work in Australia on the film Strictly Ballroom. Mira’s intense yet powerful, fluid technique executed with such seeming heartfelt ease proved a brilliant choice to close the show. Mira owned the stage with the same grace and authority as the dancers before him, making complete the sense that this production had given its fullest to the art of Flamenco in every way possible.
David O’Brien
When: 28 to 28 February
Where: Nexus Venue
Bookings: Closed