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Ireland The Voyage

16/03/202607/03/2026 Debra Campbell🥈

Ireland The Voyage Rating

★★★★★

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From the producers of Celtic Illusion, comes a powerful new theatrical experience in Ireland: The Voyage, an epic celebration of Ireland’s history, heart, and heritage brought to life through authentic voices, live music, and world-class Irish dance. Emotional, exhilarating, and deeply immersive, Ireland: The Voyage invites audiences to feel the pulse of a nation – it’s triumphs, its tragedies, its music, and its unbreakable spirit, in a live experience you will never forget!

I was fortunate to be able to delve into this world of all things Ireland currently touring around our country.

Firstly, in my years in dancing (over five decades) I’ve only ever seen Irish dancing twice in my life before (shameful I know!). Once at a high school talent show, and once when I organised a display floorshow at one of our dance fundraisers (everyone commented afterwards how good it was).

This style of dance has sustained as entertainment for decades in theatres around the world, on cruise ships, feature festivals and more. And certainly now I can fully understand why. Whether or not you are Irish, love Irish dancing or music, or just enjoy any stage performances generally; Irish vibes are contagious and captivating!

This show however is much more than just an Irish jig to a whistling tune; it is a real journey of shared stories, history and spirit.

We learn in detail from our host Giselle about the interesting Irish instruments being played in the traditional Irish band, which remains in full view throughout the show on stage. Each band member is also introduced by name with a little of their Irish background and musical accomplishments. They are all simply brilliant musicians and together bring this show wholly to life.

Irish songs sung both in English and traditional language by Giselle O’Meara are truly unforgettable. Her superior voice carries off each and every note like a fine instrument you could easily listen to for hours. Not loud and showy, but gentle and sweet; welcoming and inviting us to just enjoy!

I closed my eyes a number of times purposefully to listen and take it all in. Not only am I learning along the way about Ireland, a place I loved visiting 25 years ago, I am growing a great appreciation for this music and sound.

Shining stars are evident in the Irish dance champions – a trio mesmerize us with unbroken unison of speed and grace, extraordinary flexibility and control in traditional Gaelic; skillful solo features of rapidly increasing intricate footwork are an honour to witness, and later in the show we will clap along to particular beats in joyful harmony encouraged.

This beautiful show was such a lovely relaxing night out, and my Mum who came with me went home to try and find the great Irish love song ‘Grace’ to add to her playlist.

Thank you so much to the cast, musicians and team at Base Entertainment for this chance to broaden my knowledge of Ireland whilst at the same time tapping my foot along to some incredible music and songs from this voyage on stage transporting us all in the lucky audience to the Emerald Isle afar.

Ticket link: https://www.irelandthevoyage.com/

INSTAGRAM: @ireland_thevoyage

Tour includes cities and towns all over Australia and New Zealand.

Cast:
Giselle O’Meara (Champion Irish dancer and former lead vocalist for Michael Flatley’s global phenomenon Lord of the Dance Arena Tour)
Sara O’Hara (World Top 20 Irish Dancing Championship)
Liam Mcweeny (former quadruple Australian National Champion Irish Dancer)
Corey White (runner-up Australian International Oireachtas)

Musicians:
Tim Gleeson (guitar and Irish drum, the bodhrán)
Cormac O’Hanlon (concertina)
Ciara McGoldrick (low and high pitch whistles)
Muireann O’Dwyer (harp)

To book tickets to Ireland The Voyage, please visit https://www.irelandthevoyage.com/australia.

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2026 HeARTflicks Charity Film Screening

05/03/2026 Rob McKinnon🥉

Heartflicks Charity Film Screening Rating

★★★★★

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Following its successful debut at the 2025 Adelaide Fringe, HeARTflicks Charity Film Screening returns for 2026 bringing together brilliant short films and one magnificent feature length film from around the world continuing HeARTflicks’ mission of raising community awareness of domestic and family violence to foster empathy, dialogue and meaningful community engagement of these issues. This year the organisers have expanded the number of screenings of the films with the remaining screening on Friday 20 March to include a Q&A session with the directors of the four films to be shown that night.

Curator Steven Coy’s international call for this year’s HeARTflicks gathered a group of remarkable films and the finalist award winners were:

– Tidal, director, Sofia Poli, Australia
– The Bull, director, Jevan Chowdhury, United Kingdom
– Spider-Zan, director, Maryam Khodabakhsh, Iran
– Football Crazy, director, Katie Harriman, United Kingdom
– All Three Counts, directors, Natalie Scarman and Aron Giagu, Australia
– A Perfect Night, director, Angelo Raaijmakers, Netherlands

From the earlier screenings audience members were asked to vote for their favourite film and Australian short Wise Words by director, writer and producer Louis Dickins was chosen as the People’s Choice Award – Best Picture winner. Also, the HeARTflicks judges chose their Judges’ Award – Best Picture which was won by Aphelion by director, writer and producer Steven Willems.

On the 20 March screening, Tidal, All Three Counts, Wise Words and Aphelion will be shown.

Tidal by first-time Australian director Sofia Poli, shows the consequences of arguments in the home and how the two sisters (Amelie Stone and Zara Rose) spend time to get away from abuse and how the abuse affects everyone connected.

In All Three Counts, which features Robbie Greenwell, Nic Micalakis, Vanessa Ricks, Steven Coy and Effie Dawson, directors Natalie Scarman and Aron Giagu depict the use of power and promotes the notion that those that see abuse should say something about it.

Louis Dickins’ Wise Words shifts gears for a lighter look at the power of simple conversation and how even a chat to a stranger on a park bench can inspire change. It features Don Bridges, Ani Priyo and Louis Dickins.

These are followed by Steve Willems’ intense Aphelion, which is set in a single room. The ninety minute feature stars Nick Drummond and Talia Davida who deliver superb performances as the darkness of drug addiction and cycles of abuse engulf them. The film is raw and confronting and Williems’s film making skills are outstanding as he brings the audience into the grittiness of the room.

In Australia, intimate partner violence contributes to approximately 41 deaths each year — the equivalent of one woman killed every nine days. HeARTflicks Charity Film Screening aims to do something about this terrible statistic in presenting these exceptional films. With the added bonus of a Q&A session from the directors, the screening on 20 March promises to be a marvellous night that all should try to attend.

Profits assist Zahra Foundation.

Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating; 5/5

HeARTflicks Charity Film Screening
Remaining showing: Fri 20 Mar

Time: 7.00 pm

Venue: Cinema 1 at The Piccadilly

Booking details: HeARTflicks Charity Film Screening | Adelaide Fringe – 20 February – 22 March 2026

To book tickets to Heartflicks Charity Film Screening, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/heartflicks-charity-film-screening-af2026.

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A Heartfelt Focus Group For Theatre Lovers

03/03/2026 Nicole V🥉

Babyfleareindeerbag Rating

★★★★★

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The viewing of this show was Hannah’s preview show, and there were moments where the technology refused to cooperate and the projection decided the audience didn’t need to see Hannah’s social media handles (you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Substack). But Hannah took all of this in stride, explaining what the audience missed, and never losing her place in the script. Her vision for the performance is clear and elegant, and well worth the time.

Hannah brings forth an electric energy and undeniable desire for storytelling. As she says, she has taken her shows around some of the globe, “delighting tens of people around the world” and moments later compares live performance to a seemingly masochistic game of survivor, Hannah seeks to give her audience a show worth remembering.

Right from the beginning you realise this isn’t your typical Fringe show when Hannah encourages her audience into groups, and each group is to nominate a group scribe. While gently corralling everyone into said groups, the vibe from Hannah is supportive and encouraging, and the group work is not nearly as bad as you remember from those nightmarish group projects at school – you will want to participate. A Health and Safety officer is nominated from the crowd, and the lights drop. The pitch has begun.

Hannah begins her focus group meeting with an explanation of the difference between quantitative and qualitative feedback, and how we (the audience) are going to help her write her next show with our feedback throughout this focus group. Hannah showcases her actor profile on the projector, her height, her heterochromia (which is still up for debate), and her age. Because at the same age as she is, there are a few notable characters of literature and history who have accomplished great feats, and so she’s come to us with a desire to do more.

More being, a fresh show! Provided with introductory monologues and context for each idea for a new show, Hannah asks each group to note down ideas and feedback after each performance. With karaoke, graphs, and post it notes on a whiteboard, BABYFLEAREINDEERBAG feels more like a shared experience than that of a theatre performance. But as soon as Hannah shows us an inkling of an idea for a new show, performs a small scene, concept, or monologue, her performance is captivating, and the emotions she evokes are real. Especially when she makes eye contact with you mid-monologue.

Hannah is clearly in her happy place when she is performing, providing us with a heart-wrenching story of love, only to end with a one-line finish which will have you in stitches. Her stories she shares – all of which are up on the chopping board as potential future theatre shows – range from family to week-long romances, and all of them will give you something to think about once you’ve caught your breath from laughing.

The use of the microphone is sparing, but it adds a layer of emphasis and drama to otherwise simple lines. The lighting is simple but perfectly effective for each moment, and Hannah captivates with her use of the stage, the walkway, and round. No audience member is left forgotten, no space of the room left unused or underutilised, and no emotion left unchecked.

Be prepared when Hannah is ready to wrap up the show, as the real world may suddenly slap you in the face. But don’t let it deter you from seeing such an amazing performer doing what she loves – storytelling.

To book tickets to Babyfleareindeerbag, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/hannah-maxwell-babyfleareindeerbag-af2026.

Photographer: Lucasz Izdebski

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15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical

28/02/2026 Rob McKinnon🥉

15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical Rating

★★★★★

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15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical is being performed at Arthur Arthouse, an art-deco building on Currie Street with its ‘Avant-Garde Furnishings’ signage still attached (echoing its former function) which is known for housing innovative productions.

The intimate space of The Box Theatre contains about 30 seats and a black stage where, as we entered on opening night, a smiling St John Smith sat in a wheelchair dressed in an ill-fitting surgical gown with a bandage around his head, next to him were two seats with objects covered with black cloth – one was obviously a skeleton as foot bones poked out of the bottom. Behind St John Smith was a tv screen and books.

The very affable St John Smith (a forty something man) apologised for the lateness of the start and the handful of audience members smiled back accepting his apology. He further told us that they haven’t had time for a proper tech run of the show but assured us the tech ‘God’ (Oscar) the young man in the corner would help out. St John Smith left the stage that became black, we were handed fake microphones for the karaoke parts of the show and the performance began.

Set in the 1990’s, the narrative of the show is that 15 year old Elon Musk is recovering in hospital from a beating he received at school for a homophobic slur Elon had tormented a boy with. In the hospital room Elon is visited by the skeleton ghost of South African photojournalist Kevin Carter who became famous in 1993 by taking a Pulitzer Prize photo that depicts a starving emaciated Sudanese child who has collapsed in the dirt as a vulture waits in the background. Kevin tells Elon that he will become the richest man in the world and explains the things that this will bring. Kevin further tells Elon that there will be another famine in Sudan in 2026 and asks Elon to use a fraction of his future wealth to relieve the suffering the famine will create. Later, Elon is also visited by an apparition of his father and young Elon is perplexed about what he should do with his future wealth.

Interspersed throughout the show, audience members sing along karaoke style to hits of the 1990’s. There is a Spotify playlist that upcoming audience members can prepare with – 15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90’s karaoke musical – playlist by stjohnmckay.

The one-person show by writer, director and performer St John Smith is dark and on opening night contained a few glitches which would probably be ironed out along its run, if they were unintended, although they did add an extra appeal to the performance.

15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical is a highly entertaining show (glitches included) ideal for the creative space of Arthur Arthouse and St John Smith’s performance is imperfectly charming.

Proceeds from the show will be donated to Sudanese famine relief.

Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating; 4/5

15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical
season is: Thu, 26 Feb – Tue, 10 Mar

Times: 8.30 pm

Venue: The Box at ARTHUR ARTHOUSE

For more information: 15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical | Adelaide Fringe – 20 February – 22 March 2026

To book tickets to 15 YEAR OLD ELON MUSK the 90s karaoke musical, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/15-year-old-elon-musk-the-90s-karaoke-musical-af2026.

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