Andi Snelling. The Bakehouse Theatre - Studio. 1 Mar 2016
#Dear Diary is no fly on the wall classic ‘50s – ‘90s romance moment filled with sighs of longing uttered by perfectly coiffed, fashionably attired, alluring teens from either five decades.
Oh, no, no. The world of Andi Snelling’s real life diary, and Snelling herself, is very well wide of classic diary romance; even if you throw in the thought, ‘what about Bridget Jones’ Diary?' Snelling’s is far more human, honest and gritty while being something neither a chique melancholic ‘50s teen nor depressed and dumpy ‘90s book editor can be, fantastically magical.
Danielle Cresp’s superbly nuanced direction utilises a mix of physical theatre on which hangs Snelling’s half clown pixie, elfish realisation of herself.
This bright, vividly costumed soul excitedly explores Designer Victoria Haslam’s dim attic space featuring suitcases stacked here and there, and a chair lying askew on the floor.
On discovering a diary, which on opening speaks words, and an old radio that broadcasts voice memory from the past, Snelling barrels right into ‘her’ story.
In this wonderfully realised place of memory at play, Snelling’s big hearted openness embraces the audience and holds them affectionately close to memories good, sad and bad in a manner that’s off side to the very real life nature of these memories, purely due to the nature of the comedic clown like role and nature Snelling has chosen to work through.
The audience felt, and truly was, at one with Snelling. Her joyfully child like, then more mature teenage to adult, musings and adventures were delivered in such a way they became completely universal, as much as they were, and are, uniquely her own; evidenced by the series of slide projections of real pages, photos and drawings from her diaries, as in ways, your diary might be too.
David O’Brien
When: 29 Feb – 5 March
Where: The Bakehouse Theatre - Studio
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Presented by Central Standard Theatre. Bakehouse Theatre. 29 Feb 16
He's quite uncanny as Bill Clinton. He's not really like him. But he's an actor. Silvering the hair, bouffing it up, adopting the Arkansas drawl and those contemplative hidden lip motions, capture much of the 42nd president of the United States of America.
But, on first night, what was missing was Clinton's direct engagement of his audience. Clinton looks everyone right in the eye. He connects in an unmistakably charismatic manner. Famously. This Clinton, was wandering around the stage, looking at the ground, deep in thought. It was very odd.
It turns out, the actor, Bob Paisley, was trying to remember his lines.
First night seemed to have come before he was ready for it.
Thus it was that Rachel Mariner's wonderful script was delivered in bursts. It was a little distracting for audience members who also would lose the thread. But when he was good, he was very good.
And so it was that "Steve", up the back somewhere, was doing a lot of prompting, his Aussie accent stark and incongruous for the depth of Americana in this presentation.
The research on the script is very good, so much so in fact that there were pieces of information that were new to quite dedicated Clintonophiles. The premise and the show's name is a reflection of Clinton using the Greek classic heroes as role models - and recommending them to one and all as ways forward in the political landscape.
The TED-style talk touched on the old White House scandals, told gossipy insider stories, pondered war and bombs and the middle east, and talked of the great love affair of Bill and Hillary.
Oddly, opening remarks which touted Hillary for the best yet president, seemed to have faded as the script was ending, and he was portraying her as yet another political monster; something Bill Clinton never would do.
It is a pity director Guy Masterson had not drilled this fine member of his Fringe stable with more rehearsal of that brilliant script. It deserves to be heard. Teleprompters would not go astray.
Samela Harris
When: 29 Feb to 12 Mar
Where: Bakehouse Theatre
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
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