Mar
11
2010
glenjplayer
Part physical theatre part meditation on mortality, this unique production contrasts the actors own mortality with the themes of death and loss found in Hamlet.
Using a countdown we understand that the end of the world is approaching and willing or otherwise this set of six physical theatre performers find themselves playing Hamlet.
It certainly helps to know Hamlet as the scenes whip by in raid procession. Personally I liked this, it’s a part of the joy of watching good physical theatre performers strut their stuff.
And indeed it is these self aware intensely honest performances that really grab you in this production. I’m not entirely sure they have managed to add anything great to the cannon of Hamlet, yet this original concept is entirely praiseworthy as much for where they succeeded as they didn’t. This is one of those rare exceptions in the fringe, where despite limited resources this small theatre troupe have created art from performance.
Recommended for those that know Hamlet, or have enjoyed physical theatre.
Show watched 10th March 2010. Playing through the Adelaide fringe.
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no comments | tags: Adelaide Fringe, review | posted in Peer View, Theatre
Mar
11
2010
glenjplayer
Dr Brown is a very naughty clown. First to dispel any confusion – when I say clown I’m not talking red nose and floppy ear kind that you see at kids parties, I’m talking stage clown, a performance craft dedicated to making us laugh through the sheer absurdity of the world they see.
Whether it be through sharing a banana with an audience member, having a cup of tea with a spoon to big, or playing homoerotic cluedo with yourself, Dr Brown gave the funniest and funnest night at the theatre I’ve had so far this fringe.
If you’ve never seen a great theatre clown before, see this show, if you’ve seen a great theatre clown before and thought you’ve seen it all, see this show, because Dr Brown is better.
Show watched 10th March 2010. Playing through the Adelaide Fringe.
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Mar
10
2010
glenjplayer
Part lecture, part forum, partc storytelling, part theatre – Best We Forget is an unusual show just right for the fringe, where original theatrical concepts can get an airing. As best as I can tell, it seems to be a process drama, that being one where through various rehearsal techniques the participants bring their real life experience into making the drama. As far as this sort of work is concerned, it’s about as good as I’ve seen. However my instinct tells me by using process drama isthisyours? have got a work far less accessible then perhaps they were aiming for.
Where it works is in the three twenty something women on stage and the seemingly personal stories they tell of themselves. It achieves it’s best moments in a few brief dramatisations of interesting points on memory – forgetfulness then being the theme which holds the work together.
I did like the work as much for the creators courage and honesty, as for what they had to say about forgetting. That said this seems a bit of a show for other theatre makers, people who are going to have the requisite theatre baggage to digest and appreciate what they’re seeing.
I do recommend it if you think you’re up for this challenge, memory has facinated you, or you wish to try an unusual theatre experience this fringe.
Show watched 9th March 2010. Playing through the Adelaide Fringe 2010.
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Mar
9
2010
glenjplayer
This interesting one man show follows the lives of 16 twenty somethings on a Saturday night.
This in itself is quite remarkable – to off pull an acting feat of 16 characters is impressive – indeed one of the audience members behind me exclaimed ‘fucking awesome’ at the end of the show, clearly impressed by what he’d just seen.
For me however, despite the quality of the performance, 16 characters was just too many to keep track off, and in trying I only became confused, meaning that I lost the meaning of the text.
There’s an inherent challenge in this work, and I recommend it for those up to the task.
Show watched 8th March 2010. Playing through the Adelaide Fringe.
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Mar
8
2010
glenjplayer
O boy. I have a distinct feeling that through this review I’m going to come off as if a gushing schoolgirl.
There is just so much that is right about Man Covets Bird that even now in the post show reflections I’m still caught up in the shear beauty and profoundity of this work.
This one man, three minstrel, show tells the story of an almost-man and of the bird he saves. It is a story of growing up, of longing, and of daring. But it is O such grand and wonderous daring!
Set in a pre-technology world, people work all day in factories, press meaningless buttons or pull meaningless chains, without talking, without interaction. It is a world stripped of music and life, save for our hero’s bird.
At the show’s close the audience, myself included, sat entranced, not wanting to leave the space. Still wanting to be near the joy they had experienced.
I can not recommend this show enough. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, savour this experience.
Suitable for all.
Show watched 7th March 2010, playing at the Adelaide Festival.
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Mar
7
2010
glenjplayer
This high energy one man show grabs you by the curlies and doesn’t let go. This adult comedy tells the story of a high-strung up-market cocktail waiter in what appears to be yet another day in a job he hates, with a boss he can’t impress, where despite his best efforts he just can’t get anything right.
Although the people laughing loudest I feared were those that had worked in hospitality before, this show struck a broad grin on my face from beginning to end.
It is to his credit that Josh Cameron credit has been able to turn this waiter’s torment into such an entertaining show. You can just imagine the performer working any number of shifts just like this one before he got the idea for this show.
It is theatre seemingly born out of the wonderful banality of everyday life and for this reason it is a real treat.
Recommended for the young and the fun.
Show watched 6th March 2010.
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Mar
6
2010
glenjplayer
Boy Girl Wall is a pleasingly innocent tale of love and chasing your passions, a one man show of youthful indiscretion and second chances. It is a whimsy, spoken with honesty and love, about … well … honesty and love. Indeed, the passions of the creators and characters alike, each set a warm smile on your face that lasts from beginning to end.
It is told with the aid of sock puppets, chalk, an OHP, and a romantic wall … this simplicity of production matching the simple joy in watching it.
This understated show speaks to that best part us, the longing within all of us for a brighter tomorrow. I throughly enjoyed myself and hope you do to.
Suitable for anyone who has been in love.
Show watched Friday 5th March.
Playing at the Garden as a part of the Adelaide Fringe 2010.
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Mar
5
2010
glenjplayer
Bully is one of those rare and delicate theatre experiences you wish you could wrap up and take home with you knowing, all along, that to try would only dilute that flush of pleasure, sour the sweetness of such a delicately composed script delivered with such composure and truth.
Bully is a touching and heartfelt drama of a boy whose whole life seems touched by domestic violence. Yet, it is told in a beautifully inventive rhyming verse, that with it’s allure protects the audience from the horrors within. Richard Fry has created one of those rare theatrical marvels that both intellectually stirs and emotionally touches.
Bully is highly recommended for theatre boffins, language lovers, and all parents alike.
Performance was watched on Thursday 4th March.
This particular production comes to us from the UK and is playing at Higher Ground Theatre as a part of the Adelaide Fringe 2010.
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Mar
4
2010
glenjplayer
A more aptly named show I don’t think exists, for this is indeed an old style Punch and Judy show, perhaps the finest of this sort of puppetry I have ever seen.
This wicked delight of a show had me gasping, cheering and laughing as the willful Punch proceeded to bash his way through any number of innocents and villains.
The comedic timing was perfect, and the characterisations hilarious.
This brief and brilliant show, is my pick of the festival so far.
Recommended for all adults. A kids version is played during the day called Sea-Side Punch and Judy.
Show watched, 3rd March 2010.
Playing at the Garden as a part of the Adelaide Fringe.
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Mar
4
2010
glenjplayer
I’ve never seen a mentalist before, except on tv, so I’m not really in a position to exclaim how wonderful or crap the mentalising of 6 Impossible Things is. However I do know delight, and the delight one gets from the 6 impossible things in 6 Impossible Things is, well, delightful.
It’s that same wonder one gets as from watching a master illusionist, an expert puppeteer, or fireworks. There’s something almost childish or innocent about it all.
We know it’s some trick, but we don’t care. And this is primarily why 6 Impossible Things is so good, it gives us permission to just be kids again and enjoy a small wonder even if our adult brains must attempt to figure it all out after the show.
Easily accessible and fun show recommend for all those who like to wonder about the world we live in.
Show watched on Wednesday 3rd March, 2010.
Playing at the Garden as a part of the Adelaide Fringe.
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2 comments | tags: 2010, Adelaide Fringe, review | posted in Peer View, Theatre
