Nice Productions. Holden Street Theatres – The Studio. 15 Feb 2015
He's king or at least regal something from another planet which respects intellectual prowess. He's here in exile, having had an education at a downmarket state school. He wanders onto the stage to tell the audience all about it. He seems like a nice chap. But there are others in this play. Antagonist fronts up and questions his credentials. Three witches, shrieking crones in face paint who like to eat men, scream about the place with ill-intent. Then there is a strapping dominatrix and a submissive man who cowers, semi-nude on the floor. An Arab fellow who seems very needy. Oh, and the playwright writes himself into the action. He's needy, too.
Is that all, I wonder?
Now, what was it about? The program notes describe it as a hard-hitting piece of theatre "designed to hit you, our dear royal audience, with a potato sack over your precious craniums",
That pretty much sums it up.
It didn't know what it was about. We didn't know what it was about. When the witches weren't yelling, the others were shouting. When people weren't shouting, we audience started nodding off. Just for something to do.
But there was a happy ending. The king killed everyone.
Ah, yes, a truly forgettable piece of theatre.
Samela Harris
When: 15 to 22 Feb
Where: The Bakehouse Theatre – The Studio
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Our New Little House. Children’s Event. The Garden of Unearthly Delights – The Deluxe. 15 Feb 2015
This year’s instalment of ‘The Amazing Drumming Monkeys’ finds them in a new “eco” house, with rainwater tank, solar panel, wind generator and a home made entirely out of recycled building materials.
The Drumming Monkeys are, of course, puppets. The puppeteers cleverly concealed behind a veil of sheer fabric so they can view the audience whilst simultaneously operating the arms of their puppets and play their drums.
The kids love it! The energy is high. The monkeys are hilarious. Audience participation is a hugely successful element; particularly when the kids get their own drum and have a chance to play along with the performers.
Despite not really having any significant content the 45 minute show flies by. Even quite a few technical difficulties don’t hamper the production, as the “monkeys” take it in their stride, engaging audience members and crew to reassemble parts of the failing set. It’s hilarious. Adults and kids alike are smiling from ear to ear as they leave the venue.
The monkeys play right through the Fringe Festival, and this show is a great excuse to get out of the house with the family and have a bit of fun. Do check it out!
Paul Rodda
When: 15 Feb to 15 Mar
Where: The Garden of Unearthly Delights – The Deluxe
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Theatre Bugs. Garden of Unearthly Delights - Le Cascadeur. 15 Feb 2015
If you are heading down to the woods today, there's definitely a surprise in store. If your timing is right, you'll spy a somewhat unconventional teddy bears’ picnic attended by two teddies "disguised' in bright lycra and tu-tus, a male fairy, still mastering the arts of flying and magic, and one scruffy teddy in desperate need of a make-over.
'The Teddy Bears’ Picnic' is a great little story that's fun, fast-moving and simple enough for toddlers to follow. This colourful collection of characters present a funny and musical show perfectly pitched at its sub-8 audience. The whole troupe are wonderful with their young audience, who delight in invading the stage for a better look despite the many planned opportunities for audience participation.
David Salter, as Larry the male fairy, is hilarious and provides constant comic relief as he attempts to fulfil the task assigned by the Fairy Queen: to help save the torn and well-loved Teddy Taylor from being thrown out by her owner, Chloe. Luckily, picnic event coordinators Teddy Tabitha and Teddy Tina are on hand to help, played by Casmira Cullen and Lucy Dilger respectively. These two keep the tempo and the laughs up throughout.
In this performance, Teddy Taylor is played by the gorgeous Sasha Champion. Her interaction with the audience is very natural and armed with beautiful vocals and movement; she has a great performing arts future ahead. In the role of Chloe, Kodi Jackson is equally impressive. The duet between these two at the close of show is a highlight.
‘The Teddy Bears’ Picnic’ is presented by performing arts school Theatre Bugs and it's a great advertisement for their work. A fun and enjoyable show for kids and carers alike, it's well worth braving the summer heat to see. The tent is air conditioned and comfortable for all, so no excuses. Get out and see this one before the teddy bears disappear back to their owners for another year.
Nicole Russo
When: 15 Feb to 15 Mar
Where: Garden of Unearthly Delights - Le Cascadeur
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
The Bubble Magician. The Jade Monkey. 15 Feb 2015
The most magical thing that Doctor Bubble does is to introduce an audience to Iulia Benze.
She goes by the clown name of Milkshake and, in harlequin pants and jacket with a big silly wig, she does the audience warmup, she plays the foil, the provocateur, the bubble monster, the cheer squad and, at all times, the clown.
This actress is one terrific clown, a clown who draws on ancient European roots of clowning, but yet is a very modern clown with fantastic voice training and considerable dance skills.
With such a sensational sidekick, Doctor Bubbles, aka Kurt Murray, really could just walk through a performance.
But the pair has worked hard to bulk out the simple business of bubble-blowing with a proper little story line and a lot of shtick.
So it comes to pass that Doctor Bubbles has a sad face (well, a white paper bag over his head) and is trapped in a soulless urban life of work and sleep. He hates bubbles and he hates happiness. He is a miserable grouch.
The set is a big, fabric book-fold of lovely backdrops, the pages of which are turned according to need. So he plods to work in long-toed, patent leather clown shoes and he sleeps vertically leaning against the appropriate page of the book.
Then, one day Milkshake steals his sad face and embarks upon a mission to make him love bubbles and life like the rest of us - for she has established with much audience shouting, that everyone reallllly loves bubbles.
The show has been devised for a 3-12 age span, so the performers throw in some dance and constrained acrobatics. The Jade venue is absolutely stunning, but the stage is smallish. A smidgeon of juggling is attempted by grumpy old Doctor Bubbles. He is having such a hard time finding the joy of things, so much so that Milkshake almost gives up on him.
But not quite. Bubbles get flowing, from small controlled ones to huge rope sweeps of bubble masses. Audience children who earlier had promised not to run and break the bubbles are allowed to do so, albeit they have been doing it all the time despite the vows. Doctor Bubbles gets his mojo back - with help from the children sticking coloured discs onto the velcro stripes of his coat.
And the grand finale is a soaking soapy celebration.
Samela Harris
When: 13 Feb to 15 Mar
Where: The Jade Monkey
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By William Shakespeare. The Little Fish. Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards. 14 Feb 2015
One might imagine that sitting in a barrel room of Kay Brothers on a 40 degree day, without fans or air-conditioning, would be a pretty uncomfortable experience. If you step outside however you instantly appreciate the last minute indoors location change and are grateful for the roof over your head.
Surrounded by stone walls, towering timber trusses and raw hardwood floors, it turns out this space is perfect for a Shakespeare play like The Little Fish’s ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’. It is the perfect play for an afternoon in the Vale.
One of Shakespeare’s least performed works, the plot is remarkably straight forward. When the King of Navarre and three members of his court, Berowne, Dumain and Longueville, take an oath to study for three years and not see any women, four young women rock up and they immediately fall in love. The rest of the play follows the characters as they exchange quips, puns and put-downs in the pursuit of love.
An early work of Shakespeare, the play is thought to have been written in the mid-1590s. Whilst the plot is relatively straight forward the language is not. It is, in fact, a play about language and, as such, requires a strong ensemble and precise diction. The Little Fish cast is varied in capability with some stand-out performers and a few rough diamonds, but the director, Russell Slater, has found a cohesion which makes the production highly enjoyable.
Mark Drury plays Berowne with a wonderful pace and rhythm. His understanding of the character’s intention is superb. Costard is a rustic swain, played by Ronald Densley. He is, like Bottom, prone to malapropisms and Densley is witty and energetic in this role; the supreme mischief-maker. When Amelia Lórien sings she commands attention. One can almost hear the walls breathe as her smoky voice, accompanied only by ukelele, fills the room; hers is a commanding presence. Phoebe Shaw is utterly delightful in her dual roles of Maria and Jaquenetta.
The hard-working ensemble’s strength grows with the production, though their focus when not speaking is an area for development. Damien White is wonderfully intense in his portrayal of Don Adriano de Armado, but his reluctance to make eye contact takes the shine off. Ian Seymour-White and Isabella Shaw both also have excellent diction. Similarly Leah Anderson’s Princess is beautifully clear though slightly too loud for this intimate space. James Millward, Linda Edwards, Christopher Searle, Ashley Dunn, Bianca Payne, David Whittlesea and Harmony Kapsley round out the talented ensemble cast.
The production is embellished by wonderful interludes of song. They are performed by Amelia Lórien and Aiken Newnham and the compositions have been originally arranged for the production, incorporating 400 year old lyrics. Bravo!
Valentine’s Day marks the last performance for this show, but not for The Little Fish.
Their mid-year production of Shakespeare’s ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ is sure to be another success.
Paul Rodda
When: Closed
Where: Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards
Bookings: Closed