Fringe Favourites

Excited to see as many Fringe performers as I can fit into the season, I always opt for a ‘favourites’ or ‘best of the Fringe’ show, and this rollicking show did not disappoint. Whilst readers are unlikely to see this same line up together again, there are acts worthy of follow up if their vignette performances are any indication.

The Guv on Port Road is beloved as a live entertainment venue and the Front Bar is set up with a stage that takes up to 10 people (and acrobatics stands, keyboards and other performance aids for this show.) Sound and lighting is well set up to easily accommodate an intimate performance experience, which for this show was 2+ hours.

Used to many Fringe shows starting late, largely due to COVID checking, I was pleasantly surprised when the show started early and strongly, featuring Swingtime, with Barbarella, a chanteuse, reminiscent of a sultry 40’s blues performer, beautifully bedecked in sparkles and long red gloves, accompanied by Jai Lee, a talented keyboard player. Their songs where catchy and energetic, their style classic.

The show was compered by MC Ross Voss who dedicated his night to some ‘groan worthy” jokes and the task of linking a very diverse group of performers. Audience involvement was key on his list as was making people laugh and smile.

The second act was an acrobatic duo, Simpatico. These two young, nimble, toned women enchanted the audience with carefully synchronised acrobatic stand, and floor work and provided a unique performance skills set to the night.

Comedians abounded and whist Crackahardy was lively and enthusiastic, English comedian, Andrew Silverwood, a master of one liners and audience ‘heckling’, had the audience laughing out loud with his ‘Poms visiting’ Australia material.

Acoustic guitarist, Matthew Bellamy, shared original music with power and passion, immediately preceding MC Boomer, (aka Eric Tinker) who parodied a baby boomer hip hop performer. The routine was full of cringe worthy double entendres which many of the boomer age audience clearly identified with. Following, was Jess McKenzie, described as one of Australia’s hottest rising comics, who delivered a short, but very clever pun laden routine and highlighted for me, the importance of female voices in the difficult art of stand-up comedy.

Samora Squid’s routine was not for the fainthearted. A Fringe regular and multi-talented contortionist and variety performer, he has acute hypermobility, enabling him to dislocate joints, (egad, he did), sit on a chair, and wrap his legs behind his neck whilst simultaneously (believe it or not), playing a small stringed instrument!

Just when I thought it safe to sit comfortably in my chair, hilarious ‘Australia's Most Wanted Magician’ Steve Prior, who performs as part of Fringe Variety All Stars took to the stage. His comedy patter was witty and planted brilliantly, but he was more than a stand-up act. A skilled escapologist, he challenged and equalled Houdini’s legendary escaping from a straight jacket routine before our very eyes, never once losing the comedy or fun. For me, his is an act to follow in Adelaide.

Matt McQuinley, coach and radio host is an American born, stand-up comic whose routine about COVID and health issues was slick, and a great lead in to the act described as the night’s ‘headline act.’

Winner of Comic's Choice, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018, Chopper (aka Heath Franklin) is proudly outrageous. Using ‘colourful’ language he aims barbs to offend everything and everyone from lycra clad cyclists, racism, social media, marriage and conservation minded baby boomers. He is ugly, he is crude, he is delightfully witty and has a finely honed routine that has something to please (and offend) everyone. Not my usual comedy choice, I have added his shows to my Fringe ‘to do’ list.

These compilation shows are great value, and a brilliant opportunity to ‘taste’ the Fringe widely and differently. I found performers who I loved and want to see more of as well as those who I would recommend to others. And with so much to see at The Fringe, this ‘potted’ version was a very satisfying night out.

Jude Hines

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