Popera: Sex, Death & Politics

Popera: Sex, Death & Politics

Popera: Sex, Death & Politics Rating

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2

Uma Dobia presents this performance as a fun and interactive opportunity to educate the audience on the perils of what it is like to be a female within the world of opera.

Despite her obvious love and clear depth of knowledge of opera, this diva soprano damsel in distress openly blames opera for the docile and tragic stereotypical female roles within this art form. Setting out to set the record straight by influencing the audience about the distaste she has for this long-held ‘norm, ’ Dobia and her accompanying pianist ‘Carol’ start a nonsensical game show that is inclusive of unsuspecting audience members as they become part of the onstage entertainment.

Costumed in a racy red jumpsuit and knee-high sparkling silver stiletto boots (very impressed and left wanting some of my own), Dobia acts as the gameshow’s host for the evening’s frivolity, spinning the wheel for the adults only styled entertainment.

After her assistant and heart throb Trevor left her high and dry, which the audience learns about via a video message left by said assistant, Dobia takes charge of the stage and the show…between the tears and tantrums and unfortunate visuals of Trevor consistently shown by the tech crew who have not been informed of Trevor’s sudden departure, the audience is taken on a ride that interweaves pop and opera music through Dobia’s stunningly performed vocals.

This Adelaide Festival Fringe show performed at The Mill, a venue that provides a wonderful ambiance for a smaller production, did not have a large audience; however, Dobia did an incredible job, working hard to ensure those in attendance were thoroughly entertained.

Although the multiple-choice game show questions were, for the most part, unanswerable by its participants unless they had a reasonably comprehensive knowledge of opera, Dobia’s impressive vocals and call to arms for opera to ‘do better’ does not go unnoticed in the creativity of this informative, entertaining and saucy production.

To book tickets to Popera: Sex, Death & Politics, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/popera-sex-death-politics-af2025.

Photographer: Zena Photography

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

A Journey to Little Happiness: A New Musical

A Journey To Little Happiness

A Journey To Little Happiness Rating

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9

The title says it all. This show from Taiwan is a lot of fun. The five cast members bring this new show to life on stage. It was fitting on International Women’s Day to see this cast of five women show the acting prowess coming out of Taiwan.

As we enter the venue, we are greeted by the cast in the audience space, making rhythmic sounds and movement. The house lights go out, and the cast moves straight onto the stage and into their first song. And from this first song, the audience is captivated. We know we are in for a good night of musical theatre.

The story is simple yet beautiful. It revolves around an email written 10 years previously. This then causes the five friends to have a reunion. Not a traditional reunion, but one at their old childhood hideout. This causes a range of childhood memories as they embark on playing some of their favourite games. Long-forgotten memories are released whilst playing the games. The audience participates by spinning a chocolate wheel to pick games. We have hopscotch, skip rope, and kick the can. As they play these games, it stirs their memories of gentler times.

And how, now, 10 years later, life has changed. It is more complex. The joys of childhood have faded. But the games do, in fact, strengthen their friendships, and they vow to meet again. It shows how important our early friendships are in our lives. We need to cherish these memories and friendships as they shape us for adulthood.

The choreography and musical pieces significantly enhance the narrative. The music includes elements of traditional Taiwanese musical instruments and rhythms. Chien-Lin Chen wrote the music, and Cindy Chen choreographed. The costumes are based on what children would have worn, with adult elements.

The venue is a little on the echoey side for a musical, but the audio team and cast coped well, and the mixing was clean and crisp. The lighting was a little on the turn on lights to see, until the end when colour was introduced. This colour element helps reinforce the strengthening of their friendships and a brighter future.

This cast works well as an ensemble. The natural acting style makes it very believable. The cast consists of Hsaio Lu, Zhao Zhao, Cynthia Yang, A Hsin, and Pei Chi. The cast is directed by Qiu-Yi-Bao Lai. He has a great sense of the story being told. This is a worthwhile show to see, so keep an eye open for it.

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

MARVELous Maniacal Mayhem

MARVELous The Show

MARVELous The Show Rating

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1

MARVELous at the Adelaide Festival Fringe is an ambitious, high-energy, and BIG production that showcases the incredible talents of a remarkably athletic ten-member cast performing impressive aerial stunts, live vocals, and raunchy dance routines with technical proficiency.

This risqué parody aims to combine superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe with musical theatre and film – a considerable stretch; however, the MARVELous company achieve this feat with ease.

Integrating these seemingly disconnected theatrical phenomena begins with a musical number reminiscent of a Las Vegas cabaret show that quickly turns the cheesy appeal of this style of theatre into a satirical spoof. Deadpool, in his inimatable style, narrates the twists and turns of an adult only bedtime story as only he can!

 

The industrial styled setting is impressive as the performers own the stage, transforming familiar musicals such as Dirty Dancing, Magic Mike, Wicked, Flashdance, The Greatest Showman and Hamilton into spectacular and hilarious routines.

The audience is bombarded with satirical references to the associated Hollywood stars, generating genuine spontaneous laughter as the cast’s delivery packs just the right amount of punch.

Cohesively integrated into this raunchy bedtime tale was the lighting, laser, and smoke effects complimented by an atmospheric rock-infused soundtrack, all topped off by eye-catching costumes that had just the right amount of tear away pants and sassy tongue in cheek nudity choreographed into entertaining dance routines.

MARVELous is a witty, clever and fun night out – with or without an insight into the Marvel Universe this risqué and comedic parody is great entertainment and a really good belly laugh!

To book tickets to MARVELous The Show, please visit https://gluttony.net.au/shows/show/1106/marvelous-the-show

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

Trawled

Trawled

Trawled Rating

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3

A one-man biography of an adventure that went sour. Eoin Ryan presents this version of survival on the high seas.

This is his story as a backpacker in Australia wanting to embark on an amazing adventure, by a little white lie about his skills on a fishing boat. The adventure turns into a nightmare as Eoin realizes how hard the fishermen are. He regrets his decision in the end.

It is a fascinating tale but marred by a voice that disappears into the dark reaches of the venue, making it difficult to hear some of the quieter dialogue. Also, some of the technical elements were a bit rough. This could be attributed to first night jitters.

I am sure that it will improve as the season settles into the venue. The only other issue is mainly a venue problem, that is if the performer steps down to the same level as the seating, the audience do have a struggle to see the performer.

Eoin used the stylised set to good use. The narrative flows smoothly and you get a sense of the emotions he felt on the fishing trip. Which included drinking, fighting and the occasional storm. The toxic surroundings he has found himself in, has become violent. He needs to survive the sea and the crew.

The story is good, and Eoin knows it well as he lived it. Just a bit more volume and energy would make it really sail. Overall the audience seemed to enjoy it.

All sessions are followed by a Q and A, so you get the chance to ask questions. It is worth going along to see, I am sure the kinks have been sorted.

To book tickets to Trawled, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/trawled-when-adventure-becomes-survival-af2025

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.