Media & The Arts

Category: Media & The Arts

Laurence Clark 12% Evil ****1/2 (Fowlers Live until Saturday, March 8, 2008)

Laurence Clark 12% Evil ****1/2 (Fowlers Live until Saturday, March 8, 2008)

It’s not every day I review a comedian with cerebral palsy, and I am so glad I have now had that opportunity. Laurence Clark has the most wicked sense of humour, possibly rating higher than 12% evil. His show is a very cleverly constructed deconstruction of stereotypes assigned to people with disabilities, especially villains of […]

Six Pack! ***1/2 (Puppet Palace until Saturday, March 15, 2008)

Six Pack! ***1/2 (Puppet Palace until Saturday, March 15, 2008)

This young troupe of puppeteers from the VCA, has brought a mixed bag of experimental puppetry that is intriguing and fresh. It seems you are served three shows from the repertoire of six, per performance. And each show tries something different. Tonight we saw shadow puppetry, classic hand puppets, and then a fully embodied puppet […]

MARK WATSON – CAN I BRIEFLY TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE POINT OF LIFE? **** (Nova 2 until Saturday, March 15, 2008)

MARK WATSON – CAN I BRIEFLY TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE POINT OF LIFE? **** (Nova 2 until Saturday, March 15, 2008)

Mark Watson personifies the polite, self-deprecating stand up comic, bumbling through life stumbling from one rich vein of comic material to another. He is careful to manage our expectations, playing down his comedic skills so as to surprise us time and time again with a sharp observation or barbed put down. Mark Watson delivers solid […]

The angel and the red priest **1/2 (Adelaide Centre For Arts until Thursday, March 6, 2008)

The angel and the red priest **1/2 (Adelaide Centre For Arts until Thursday, March 6, 2008)

I’m afraid I do not agree with the publicity blurb for this play, which claims it can, “touch our heartstrings without them going out of key.” For this reviewer, this tribute to Vivaldi had too much Boston Pops sweetness. The acting was over-played and pauses in dialogue were achingly prolonged, as if the players were […]

Tombola! *** (SA German Association until Wednesday, March 5, 2008)

Tombola! *** (SA German Association until Wednesday, March 5, 2008)

These two crazy Canadians (self-proclaimed) have delivered much of the promise of the ancient, theatrical art of Commedia Dell’Arte. This style of theatre, most popular in Italy from the 1400s to the 1800s, involves creating scenarios for stock characters to play within. Typically, the story lines are simple and the dialogue loosely composed to allow for […]

American Poodle *** (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

American Poodle *** (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

I am a fan of the many works Guy Masterson brings to the Adelaide Fringe but this show disappointed me on a number of counts. Firstly, unlike other productions where focus is given to the artistic development of a theatrical base from where he launches his political barbs, this show lacks that development. The first […]

Pluck – The Titanic Show **** (Royalty Theatre until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Pluck – The Titanic Show **** (Royalty Theatre until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Pluck triumphs on the genteel side of the Fringe with The Titanic Show. This celebration of the musicians on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic distils the Edwardian spirit of the early 1900s and uses this setting of manners and mores as fertile ground for comic exploitation. We are treated to a repertoire of beautiful […]

Township Stories ****1/2 (Royalty Theatre until Saturday, March 9, 2008)

Township Stories ****1/2 (Royalty Theatre until Saturday, March 9, 2008)

This is a profoundly disturbing and unsettling production showcasing a grotesque view of life in South African townships. This is not a documentary or opinion piece, there is no sermon in the script, this is instead a story about a serial killer wreaking havoc among people whose lives are already damaged enough. We are painted […]

Trouble on Planet Earth ***1/2 (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Trouble on Planet Earth ***1/2 (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

This experimental show is worth experiencing, not for the script of the acting, but for the experience. The intriguing element that provides interest for this show, is the small gadget each audience member is given, enabling them to register votes throughout the evening. The system is simple. At certain points in the show, the cast asks the […]

Dreamer **** (Puppet Palace until Friday, March 14, 2008)

Dreamer **** (Puppet Palace until Friday, March 14, 2008)

Black light puppetry is always captivating, especially in the hands of Dreampuppets. This show, Dreamer, is part of the Dreamer trilogy in which a childlike, Leuing-style creature experiences bizarre happenings in a bright, colourful dreamscape. Dreamer encounters strange fish, animated furniture and new abilities to move and interact with the world. This is imaginatve, entertaining […]

DAVID O’DOHERTY – It’s David O’Doherty Time **** (Nova 2 until Saturday, March 15, 2008)

DAVID O’DOHERTY – It’s David O’Doherty Time **** (Nova 2 until Saturday, March 15, 2008)

I confess I fall easily for Irish comics. I think it is due to a childhood staple of Dave Allen. However, I am sure I can award four stars with a clean conscience, confident that David has not benefited from my bias. It’s amazing how one man with a microphone and a tacky little keyboard […]

Frank Woodley – Possessed ***1/2 (Arts Theatre until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Frank Woodley – Possessed ***1/2 (Arts Theatre until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Frank Woodley combines slapstick, stand up, and physical theatre effortlessly. It appears to be as natural to him as breathing. Having worked previously in a trio, then a duo, his venture into solo territory is very pleasing. In Possessed, we follow the story of a man who becomes possessed by the ghost of an Irish […]

First She Takes Manhattan ** (The Courthouse until Friday, February 29, 2008)

First She Takes Manhattan ** (The Courthouse until Friday, February 29, 2008)

Full marks to Jordan Roberts (singer) and Simon Koop (guitarist) for deciding to tackle the great master of poetic music, Leonard Cohen. (This is where I need to declare that I am a Leonard Cohen fan) This show left me conflicted. On one hand, Jordan has a beautiful voice, which often threatens to break free. […]

Tomfoolery ***1/2 (La Boheme until Sunday, March 9, 2008)

Tomfoolery ***1/2 (La Boheme until Sunday, March 9, 2008)

I think Tom Lehrer will be reasonably happy with this showcase of his satirical songs from the 1950s and 60s. Certainly, all the favourites are there from The Vatican Rag to The Masochism Tango, from Poisoning Pigeons in the Park to New Math. Although the show does take a little time to warm up, the […]

Playing Burton **** – Starring Josh Richards (Holden Street until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Playing Burton **** – Starring Josh Richards (Holden Street until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

Guy Masterson has directed this one-man show about his uncle, Richard Burton, and he has created a real gem. If you have ever liked Richard Burton, if you enjoy well-rounded vowels and a deep, explosive, male voice, you will find this show a decadent, almost guilty, pleasure. Josh Richards could easily be Richard Burton – […]

Charlie Pickering – Thirteen Ducks ***1/2 (Bosco Theatre until Sunday, March 2, 2008)

Charlie Pickering – Thirteen Ducks ***1/2 (Bosco Theatre until Sunday, March 2, 2008)

Sand up comic, Charlie Pickering is back in town. The curly-haired, baby-faced comic brings his usual collection of observations and his hunger for interacting with the audience. He has also just done a master class in comedy with Bernie Mac in Los Angeles (he played Bosley in Charlie’s Angels – Full Throttle and is the […]

Goering’s Defence **** (Fringe Factory)

Goering’s Defence **** (Fringe Factory)

It is intriguing to hear how Hitler’s number two defends the Nazi party’s dismantling of the election process. According to Herr Goering, when the Nazi Party was able to grasp power it “knew” that the needs of the people were in safe hands, so there was no need to risk the people changing their minds. […]

The Window ****1/2 (Bakehouse until Sunday, March 2, 2008)

The Window ****1/2 (Bakehouse until Sunday, March 2, 2008)

This production is the best example of integrating live action with multimedia that I have ever seen. All these elements worked together with a beautiful synergy; the new technology “adding” to the experience, not “dominating”. Julie Eckersley (MTC, The Wedge) and Jo Turner (STC, All Saints) deftly create an emotionally gruelling and sometimes fantastic world, in […]

Puppet Cabarets * (Puppet Palace unitl Sunday, March 9, 2008)

Puppet Cabarets * (Puppet Palace unitl Sunday, March 9, 2008)

Puppet Cabarets is a nightly showcase of three to five acts by various puppeteers performing at this year’s Fringe. I have been to very few Fringe shows like tonight’s, where audience members have exchanged glances so often, rolling eyes and wondering communally why they were at a show. Unfortunately, the mix of acts tonight was a […]

Andrea Gibbs is STARKERS ***1/2 (Garden Shed until Sunday, March 2, 2008)

Andrea Gibbs is STARKERS ***1/2 (Garden Shed until Sunday, March 2, 2008)

Andrea Gibbs has set herself a challenging task. She must introduce us to three strong, Australian female characters in 60 minutes. We meet the Aussie girl reminiscing about summers spent watching cricket on tv with her dad, lamenting the fact that streaking is now a lost art, a rite of passage of a bygone era. Next, she […]

The Smile off Your Face ***** (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

The Smile off Your Face ***** (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

You need to trust me on this – fit this show into your Fringe schedule.  You will be blind folded. You will be wheeled through an intimate experience in a wheelchair. You will need to trust the Belgian cast as they transport you through a sensual landscape for about 20 minutes. This experimental theatre experience […]

La Clique **** (Masonic Centre until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

La Clique **** (Masonic Centre until Sunday, March 16, 2008)

I think it is the heady mixture of anticipation fuelled by the swirling strains of carnival music that creates the special La Clique atmosphere. We, the audience, sit encircling a small, circular stage, our inhibitions and responsibilities checked at the door, our appetites piqued, and then it begins. Amazing acrobatic feats performed by taut and buffed bodies. […]

Persephone’s Wolf ****1/2 (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 9, 2008)

Persephone’s Wolf ****1/2 (Fringe Factory until Sunday, March 9, 2008)

Wow! This show cracks along at a frenetic pace like a runaway car on a fantastic, mythically themed roller coaster ride. Persephone’s Wolf centres on a tale about two abandoned boys raised by wolves in the forest. Simple-minded folk in the nearby village panic at the thought of wolves raising humans and they send out […]