Reviews

Renfield: In the Shadow of the Vampire

By Ross Ericson. Grist to the Mill Productions (UK). Adelaide Fringe. Bakehouse Theatre. 4-14 March, 2020

In this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival there are a number of adaptations of ‘classic’ literary novels, exemplified by Grist to Mill’s productions of Moby Dick,and Renfield: In the Shadow of the Vampire, the latter based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. For some reason it is these two novels in particular that are playing a role in the festival. Why?

The Hipster: A Musical for People Who Don’t Like Musicals

Adelaide Fringe. Sound Bowl Productions. Little Bang Brewing Company, 25 Henry Street, Stepney, SA, 5069. 8-17 March, 2020

Home-grown theatre with a home-grown setting: it’s a relative rarity in Adelaide, so any gesture in this direction by talented companies is welcome.

Tamara Linke has scripted/composed a breezily lightweight musical-comedy in which the plot may be rambling and fairly arbitrary, but the energy bringing it to life in this production is undeniable, which minimises the impact of the flaws and leaves you feeling grateful for the kind of silly uplift that Australia could do with right about now.

Falsettos

Music and Lyrics by William Finn and book by Finn and James Lapine. Theatre and Company. Lennox Theatre Parramatta. March 5 – 14, 2020

Falsettos is a fast-paced whirlwind of a musical that takes you on an emotional roller-coaster from start to finish. Boasting a score that includes some crazy and hilarious numbers along with ones that pull at your heart strings, the story takes you on the journey of three dysfunctional couples and one 12 year old, who is also on a journey towards his Bar Mitzvah.

Mullygrubs

Adelaide Fringe. Presented by Harry Thompson. The Adina Treasury Tunnels: Square Room at Treasury 1860, 144 King William Street, Adelaide. 7-15 March, 2020.

Just to be clear, there is no direct connection between this show and the (differently-spelled) notorious Network Ten children’s entertainment that was an unforgettable part of a certain Australian generation’s upbringing - and in the end, any tangential significance of the title is fairly thin.

Into the Woods

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine. Savoyards. The Star Theatre, Manly, Queensland. March 7 - 14, 2020.

In Stephen Sondheim’s 90th year it is fitting to celebrate his life and indulge in a performance or two. The Savoyards community theatre group tackle Into the Woods – a sprightly 30-something, having premiered off-Broadway in 1986 – and its 28 musical numbers. This is a show that has attracted more than a dozen major awards for every avenue from writing, music, acting to lighting, set and sound design.

Joni Mitchell’s Daughter

Hartstone-Kitney Productions. Adelaide Fringe. Black Box Theatre. March 8 & 9, 2020

Canadian singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell emerged at a time when the world was trying to find peace amongst political chaos and war. Perhaps that is why we can still relate to the musings of this deep-thinking songstress. Her songs hold true today, because of her lyrics and stripped back interpretations.

Accidental Death of An Anarchist

By Dario Fo. KADS Theatre. Directed by Andrew Watson. KADS Town Square Theatre, Kalamunda WA/March 6-21, 2020

Accidental Death of An Anarchist is an unusual choice for KADS Theatre, perhaps best known for light comedies and farces. While this play is decidedly in the comic vein, Accidental Death of An Anarchist, though fifty years old this year, remains a strong choice - a political commentary that is a little outside the box.

Just Desserts

By Michelle Pearson. Adelaide Fringe. East Market Pavilion, Gluttony, Adelaide. 6-14 March 2020

Michelle Pearson stirs, folds and beats a recipe of politics, philosophy and personal stories into a perfect late-night treat for all the senses. Revisiting her cabaret show introduced to the Fringe in 2019, Pearson mixes up well known songs with her own take on the lyrics, this time around updating her storytelling to reflect the changes in her life over the last twelve months.

Falling from Grace

By Hannie Rayson. Directed by Elizabeth Morris. Presented by Villanova Players. Ron Hurley Theatre, 28 February – 8 March, 2020

The complexities of women’s friendships are laid bare in this Hannie Rayson (Hotel Sorrento) play. Relationships are tested, secrets revealed, and scruples challenged as three women – Maggie, Suzannah and Janet – navigate the trials of working with your best friends in the pressurised environment of a magazine.

Tom Skelton: 2020 Visions (What if I hadn’t gone blind?)

Adelaide Fringe. The Boardroom at The Griffins Hotel, Adelaide. 7-14 March 2020

Ten years on from losing his sight British comedian Tom Skelton looks back at the last ten years and indulges us in his ‘what if?’ moments, starting his show exactly at twenty past eight – 20:20.

He takes us on his journey from the first medical specialist’s appointment where he was told he would soon have only 5% vision, through each year of the 2010s, introduced by music and audio from that year.

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