Fringe Wrap: Thu Feb 18

Fancy some class A's for brekky? How about rebuilding civilisation in a post-apocalyptic wasteland? Or is naked accordian playing more to your liking? Well, we've got them all here in the second batch of reviews all the goings on at this year's Fringe.

Justin Hamilton – Idiot Man Child
Le Cascadeur, Sat Feb 13

Justin Hamilton makes his return to the Garden in 2010 with a show topic close to my heart: hate. It seems the Adelaide native made a mistake - he made a New Year’s resolution not to hate. Now when your living is comedy and insulting people is second nature, it would seem this would become even harder, but luckily for Hamilton it leads to scenarios a-plenty to fill his show. It’s based largely around one story interspersed with off-shoot stories of a quietly racist boss and his attempts to get fired from commercial radio using the fictitious Finger Knuckle nightclub. Very different to his three-part epic of a couple of years back, this is still a quality show start to end with plenty of laughs and it will encourage all in attendance to not let the hate fester within.
Final Word: Guffaws.
Shane Scott

Idiot Man Child continues at Le Cascadeur until Sun Feb 21.

Abbie Cardwell
The Spiegeltent, Sun Feb 14

Abbie Cardwell was here to preview her fabulous new CD, The Bare Bones Sessions, backed by her very talented Leading Men, brother Jeb on guitar/dobro and Ashley Davies on drums. The CD was recorded live in the studio without overdubs and with the same line-up, so it was a simple matter to reproduce authentically for an appreciative Adelaide audience. From the opening banjo strains of 52 Pick Up we knew we were in for a treat. Switching between banjo, ukulele and guitar, and with an obvious enthusiasm for the songs and for her band, Abbie quickly established a rapport with the audience. Jeb Cardwell’s guitar work was as captivating as ever. The covers are a little surprising, but paydirt is struck with Abbie’s own songs. With styles ranging from bluegrass romp to edgy melancholic ballad, Abbie Cardwell works from a rich palette!
Final Word: Impressive!
Adrian Miller

Etype… By Request
The Spiegeltent, Sun Feb 14

Walking into the elegance of the Spiegeltent, the crystalline light of late afternoon sun spilling through the stained glass windows, one is immediately transported into relaxed exotic delight. Michel, with his outrageous French accent introduces the chefs (Etype) and the courses for selection displayed on a board, keeping up the banter between songs throughout the show.

Solid drums and fluid bass cook up rhythm, the piano colours and flavours, soaring soul saxophone spices, with rich warm vocals bringing body to this heady aromatic mix of standards, contemporary jazz and blues, originals and covers. With the band obviously enjoying themselves, exuding their love of the music into the audience, it’s impossible not to move and groove with this hot band of music cooks.
Final Word: Sumptuous.
Ian Newton

Etype… By Request continues at The Spiegeltent until Sun Feb 28.

The Needle And The Damage Done
The Hive, Tue Feb 16

Our Winter Olympics medal tally might be paltry, but Fiona Scott-Norman’s comedy show proves Australia’s back catalogue of tasteless music is of gold standard. The Melbourne performer showcases some of pop music’s worst record art and lyrical exploits, with the Aussie commitment to awful album covers dredging up Ugly Dave Gray, Tony Barber (with a sleazy personal note scribbled on Scott-Norman’s copy) and Jamie Redfern (Christ Jim! Get the hell off Liberace’s lap!). This plunderer of perverse pop and scientist of sinister sleeve designs has created a show so rich in racist, sexist and criminal material that you’ll be uneasily watching half of the show through your hands. Whether it’s John Laws’ sins of ‘verbally assaulting’ potential lovers or David Hasselhoff’s puppy love, this is a winning winsome/wincing collection.
Final Word: Schadenfreudian.
Scott McLennan

The Needle And The Damage Done continues at The Hive until Sun Feb 28.

Jeff Green - Crazy From The Heat
Rhino Room, Tue Feb 16

Jeff Green jumped the gun a little, launching his observations and life-stories comedy act half a week before the Fringe even opened! If the British-born Green had any opening night kinks they were hidden with wit and professionalism. His material – the differences between the UK and Australia, marriage and fatherhood – wasn’t highly original, but definitely relatable and delivered in his unique and disarming style. Much of his act centred on his family life and his two young sons, meaning this show will appeal to an audience on the wrong side of a mortgage and thirty. That said, it’s definitely not family friendly and will be most enjoyed by those who have grown up, but whose senses of humour haven’t. Green wins laughs with his brutally honest perspectives. And some dad jokes, but funny ones.
Final Word: Wisecracker.
Brad McNaughton

Crazy From The Heat continues at the Rhino Room until Sat Feb 27.

Cam Knight – Man/Child
Rhino Room, Mon Feb 16

Returning home for the first time in years, comedian Cam Knight markets himself as a child trapped in a man’s body. He loves his missus but has an equal appreciation for Guitar Hero. Pretty common household problem I would’ve thought. His act touches on everything from local topics such as bikies, pandas and the Port Adelaide Magpies to the not-so-local Jabba The Hutt’s foreskin and shelving with the family around Christmas time. Um, no. Not the carpentry term. Those expecting an hour reminiscent of his appearances on The Comedy Channel are in for a rude shock. It’s fair to say that his cup runneth over with expletives. I’m not complaining but I think the lady next to me was perplexed by the lack of ‘Bill Cosby Family Fun Hour’ material. The act is a frank no-brainer and it gave the crowd the laugh out louds on many occasions.
Final word: C-bomb.
Sophie Siciliano

Cam Knight continues at Rhino Room until Sat Feb 27.

Alex Buzo’s Norm And Ahmed
Jah’z Lounge, Wed Feb 17

Beginning with two seemingly stereotypical types, this engaging play unravels increasingly complex personalities as proceedings continue. Set entirely at a bus stop late one evening, we encounter a very Aussie Norm, who fought in WWII, has a successful family and is happy with his quintessential Sydneysider life. He meets Ahmed, a young international student from Pakistan who seems a little on the edgy side, and we begin to discover all is not as outward appearances show. Nervous Ahmed slowly becomes eloquently more confident, while calm Norm grows ever more complex. All sorts of twists and turns along the way reveal interesting political and social observations, while demonstrating some of the interesting anomalies that reside within each of us. Both an intense and engaging dialogue between two brilliant players that really make you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a conversation.
Final word: Captivating.
Luke Balzan

Alex Buzo’s Norm & Ahmed continues at Jah’z Lounge until Sat Mar 6.

CuBBYHOuSE
The Spare Room, Wed Feb 17

Where’s Wally? meets Play School. You may not be inspired to go to Majorca, but Holly Austin and Adriano (Ado) Cappelletta will take you back to your childhood. There is lots of imagination, going with the flow, trying on different roles and doing their best to make you laugh. A fractured storyline is saved by clever sound effects, quick character changes, and inventive dialogue. But, like all childhood fantasies, reality sets in and not everything attempted is successful. Follow the quest to realise your dreams, and to thine own self always be true, but don’t catch an imaginary helicopter or quit your day job.
Final Word: Imaginative.
Terry Izatt & Karen Bailey

CuBBYHOuSE continues at The Spare Room until Sun Feb 28.

The Adventures Of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer
Holden Street Theatres, Wed Feb 17
Post-apocalypse, Alvin Sputnik is asked to be a hero and find a home for other survivors. However, it’s not the storyline that makes this one-man show such a delight. A brilliant mix of media tools and performer Tim Watts’ oddball persona are the stars.

A white spherical screen becomes the backdrop for much of the action in animated form and a window to the soul in more human form as Alvin witnesses the death of his wife. The animations come off screen and carry on in more solid form.

Tim is able to draw humour and emotion from a glove puppet whose face is covered by a diving helmet. There are ukulele songs. There is disco music! Don’t be put off by the title – this is great entertainment: sad, hilarious and clever.
Final Word: Splendid!
Adrian Miller

Alvin Sputnik continues at Holden Street Theatres until Sun Mar 14.

The Beards
The Spiegeltent, Wed Feb 17

Plastic beards, pencilled on beards, more beards than you can throw a barber at. Any beard is better than none! With non-bearded ‘Roman’ slaves fanning the preferred bearded cast and the front sections reserved for bearded guests only, The Beards have shown a gift for drama as well as writing and performing some cracking and highly amusing songs - about beards. This show was part cabaret, featured a short movie and an IQ quiz about beards, and lots of songs - about beards. Entertaining and engaging; these guys rock! Although they don't have another Fringe gig lined up, they’re locals so get out and see them, and when you do, if you don't have a beard, beg, borrow, steal or pencil one on – girls too!
Final Word: Engaging.
Clayton & Lauren Werner

Heroin(e) For Breakfast
Holden Street Theatres, Wed Feb 17

The publicity for this show focuses on it being funny and irreverent, but don’t go along expecting light entertainment. There are some brilliantly funny lines but it’s also unpleasant and tragic. What begins as a saucy romp with Tommy sharing a flat with two women, Chloe and Edie, starts to turn sour when they are visited by Heroin(e). The depiction of Heroin(e) as a Marilyn Monroe figure is a masterstroke, as Tommy’s obvious weakness for women is mirrored in the sensuous attraction of the drug. There are strong performances from the cast as characters begin as caricatures but develop into deeply troubled individuals. Depending on your viewpoint this is either cutting edge theatre or just too bleak and harrowing. The person next to me gave it a standing ovation.
Final Word: Challenging.
Adrian Miller

Heroin(e) For Breakfast continues at Holden Street Theatres until Sun Mar 14.

My Friend The Chocolate Cake
The Spiegeltent, Wed Feb 17

Early evening in the Garden and the atmosphere was right for a fairly relaxed performance from My Friend The Chocolate Cake. The Ferris wheel and dodgem cars were quiet but singer David Bridie dedicated opening song Hymn For The Carnies to them anyway, just with the trio of keyboards, cello and violin. They were then joined by the full band for a set taken largely from their most recent CD Home Improvements. We were also treated to a world premiere of a new song Black Ice. In a more poignant moment David dedicated a performance of Kelly Kwalik Country to the Papuan Separatist leader who was killed by Indonesian police in December. A slight feeling that this was just another gig for the band, but it was an enjoyable performance nonetheless.
Final Word: Tasty.
Adrian Miller

Skitch Tease
The Pod, Sat Feb 13

The basic premise of this show – playing the accordion, singing songs and telling stories while naked in front of an audience – and managing this with dignity and decency, is a real winner. Watching Miss Skitch Tease get into position at the start, and how she handles the end of the show is really very funny. She has a great singing voice, and a delightful and engaging on stage manner, but the whole package feels a little underdone. The accordion playing is very basic and some of the songs’ ideas and lyrics need culling, with more light and shade to vary the musical mood.
Final Word: Amusing
Michael Coghlan

Skitch Tease continues at The Pod until Sat Mar 13.

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