Reviews

Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act

Adelaide Fringe – Studio 166 at Goodwood Theatre and Studios. Presented by Fringe Management LLC and Joanne Hartstone. 17 February – 17 March 2024

In 1916, the famous-but-now-retired detective resurfaces to attend the funeral of his friend, Watson, returning to Baker Street to resolve ‘the last act’.

Nigel Miles-Thomas is Sherlock, every English enunciation defining Holmes’ precision and emotionless deduction – until he admits he misses things; misses people; he misses his friend Watson! These cracks in his armour are small, yet significant, and Miles-Thomas has the nuance to show them without radically changing the established character.

Stunt Double

By The Farm (commissioned by Perth Festival). Studio Underground. 15-17 February, 2024.

The Farm are a Queensland-based collective of creatives, who performed their work, Ninth Wave, here in 2022.

They have a track record of combining humour with modern dance and multi-media (produced by Performing Lines) and started writing Stunt Double over a zoom session during lockdown a few years ago.

Garry Starr: Greece Lightning

Created and performed by Damien Warren-Smith. Produced by Laura Milke Garner (MILKE). The Q: Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. 16 February 2024

There’s not a lot that will throw the utterly brilliant, outrageous and hilarious burlesque performer Damien Warren-Smith off his game. His onstage personality has a kind of disarming innocence, cheekily crossing boundaries as though he didn’t realise they existed, and then basking in the embarrassed delight of the audience he’s dragged out of its comfort zone. That naughty toddler character might come across a little insecure, which contrasts with his physical comedy, which is strong, controlled and comfortable.

Beauty and the Beast

Music by Alan Menkin. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton. Disney Theatrical Group. Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Opening Night: Saturday 17th February 2024.

In a triumphant Brisbane premiere at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, audiences are transported to a world of enchantment and wonder with Disney Theatrical Group's mesmerizing production of Beauty & the Beast. Directed and choreographed by Olivier Award nominee Matt West, this rendition of the beloved classic is a testament to the timeless magic of theatre.

The Spooky Men’s Chorale

Independent Theatre, North Sydney, Feb 17, 2024. Avoca Beach Theatre, Feb 18, 2024

The Spooky Men pretend to be “spooky” but they’re not! They’re funny, weird, somewhat dark … but thought-provoking, original and very talented. Led by Spookmeister Stephen Taberner, they have been an Australian musical phenomenon for twenty-three years.

Know Your Role & Our Place

Actually Acting: Adelaide Fringe Premiere. Star Theatre Two at Star Theatres. Sat, 17 Feb - Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Actually, Acting is an acting school created in 2007 with the mission of helping aspiring actors develop their skills and confidence in the dramatic arts. Students explore and develop their skills, while building their confidence in the process. Artistic Director, Alicia Zorkovic has made a theme of Actually Acting’s the empowerment, of young people. She is passionate about hearing their voices and allowing them to share their fears, dreams and opinions in a safe, constructive and creative way.

Bubble Show for Adults Only 2

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. Bubble Laboratory. The Virago at Gluttony, Rymill Park, Adelaide. Feb 16 to March 16, 2024

Eleven- thirty at night is a late show after a day of Fringe fun. However, the Bubble Show for Adults Only is well worth the wait!

The set is deceptively simple, a black stage with some silver podiums and copious mist pouring out to add to the atmosphere.

Thanks to the talents of Kurt Murray and Iulia Benze the action is non-stop, performing to a backing track of a radio program. There is an office scene, outer space, hippies and some BDSM fun and more!

Fafi D’Alour Uncut

Adelaide Fringe – Ukiyo at Gluttony. Presented by Delinquent Creatives. 17-25 February 2024

Five women bring music, movement, and acrobatics together to entertain and titillate in this return season from Fringe favourites, Delinquent Creatives.

Eliza Dickson’s vocals are fabulous – reaching those big notes with power and distance: her held notes left us out of breath, and she has the perfect voice for her raunchy vocals.

Faulty Towers the Dining Experience

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024. Interactive Theatre International. Botanical Room at The Terrace Hotel, Adelaide. Feb 16 to Mar 10, 2024

A friend of mine recently asked me – “Do you need to have watched the original series Fawlty Towers before you see Faulty Towers the Dining Experience?” The answer is a resounding no. It is just good, old fashioned crazy fun played to the hilt!

The production is based on some of the 12 iconic episodes made in the 1970s and features the central characters of Basil Faulty, his wife Sybil and their Spanish waiter, Manuel.

Helios

Adelaide Fringe – The Yurt at The Courtyard of Curiosities at the Migration Museum. Presented by Wright & Grainger with Tom Oliver Productions and Joanne Hartstone. 16 February – 17 March 2024

Wright & Grainger are worldwide multi-award-winning storytellers for their previous shows Eurydice, Orpheus, and The Gods, The Gods, The Gods (the latter two have limited performances elsewhere in the Fringe this year). I’m a huge fan myself – despite it being a repeat season, Orpheus was still my pick of the Fringe in 2023: even my mum loved it (though for her, The Gods X 3 won out). Does their new show Helios live up to our high expectations?

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