CarmenGetHER-A COVID INFUSED DISKUSTATION!

Dina Emry has created an extraordinary parody of one of those – ‘teetering on overwhelming’ bombastic women who is a ‘force of nature’ and totally full of … their own opinions and self-importance.  With never a dull or hesitant moment, Emry takes us on a brazenly wild ride with her fabulously over the top, ridiculously wealthy alter-ego Carmen a Cougar from Portsea. 

‘Dressed to kill’ in leopard skin patterned clothing and swaying on high heels, Carmen talks and sings at her audience, energetically and relentlessly, from go to woe.  With a stunning singing voice Emry as Carmen belts out parts of some marvellous songs.  As described - this show really is something of a Musical Comedy.  Carmen is pretentious to the hilt and consistently laughing at her own flagrant and pretentious jokes.  Tellingly, this is a woman who can confuse thoughtlessness with mindfulness.  Perhaps that says it all.

Hilariously smattered with smutty and lewd inuendo, the show opens at what is apparently a renovation site in Portsea. Carmen clouts us with humorous comments about current difficulties the CFMEU has been undergoing during recent Covid lockdowns and protests.

Then we move into the grannie flat, Grannie being absent due to a bout of Covid.  (This leaves me wondering if her absence was also due to Covid last year and whether it is the same bout?)  Here Carmen cooks and chats and laughs and sings.

From what I can remember from last year her cooking skills have pretty vastly improved.  She presents a fairly palatable looking dish to complete the proceedings. The Covid infusion of the title is Corona Beer in the batter. This beer looks to me like sneakily disguised pineapple juice which is apparently good for the voice. 

A tour de force with massive energy Ms Emry brings us a short and sweet ‘in your face’ good fun, wacky and wild Fringe show.

Suzanne Sandow