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Bec Pynor’s Someone Else’s Story: A Mesmerising Musical Journey

3 March 2025 Emma Bennett

Someone Elses Story Rating

★★★★★

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One of the great strengths of the Fringe is the sheer variety of venues, ensuring a stage for all manner of performances.

Bec Pynor’s Someone Else’s Story found its home in the intimate setting of Star Theatre Two, a perfect choice for this deeply personal production. Following a sell-out run in 2024, the show has returned by popular demand, and on opening night, the venue was packed with a diverse audience of devoted music lovers.

The set is simple and tasteful—no gimmicks, just exquisite music.

Pynor, accompanied by the accomplished pianist Daniel Brunner, takes the audience on a moving journey through her life. From the little girl enraptured by musical theatre, nurtured by her grandparents’ shared love of the art form, to her high school years where she first took centre stage as Jasmine in Aladdin, and finally, to her rigorous Music Degree studies in Queensland, which challenged her, broadened her repertoire, and helped shape the remarkable performer she is today.

Her selection of 14 songs spans beloved classics from Mary Poppins, Wicked, and Hamilton, as well as lesser-known gems from The Notebook, Avenue Q, and Waitress. Given the diversity of the repertoire, it would have been helpful to have the song titles announced, allowing the audience to better connect with the music both during and beyond the performance.

Pynor opened the show with a commanding presence—tall, poised, elegantly gowned, and every inch a star beneath the spotlight. Her voice soared with note-perfect clarity, captivating the audience from the outset. Her duet with Brunner provided a delightful shift in tone and pace, offering a charming contrast to the solo numbers. However, while her renditions were undeniably polished, there were moments where I found myself wishing she had leaned more into her own vocal identity, rather than adhering to the American accents of the original songs.

Throughout the performance, Pynor shares what she describes as ‘only the lessons that music can teach,’ encouraging the audience to cast aside fear and pursue their dreams—a philosophy she has clearly embraced herself. Should she choose to return to the Fringe, I have no doubt she will be gracing a larger stage, commanding an even greater audience.

Song List:
1. The Secret of Happiness – Daddy Long Legs
2. Feed the Birds – Mary Poppins
3. Palace Walls – Aladdin
4. Medley (Someone Else’s Story, Fine Fine Line, Heavy Help My Heart, Times are Hard for Dreamers, I Never Knew his Name)
5. The Wizard and I – Wicked
6. Burn – Hamilton
7. When he Sees Me – Waitress
8. No Day but Today – Rent
9. My Days – the Notebook

To book tickets to Someone Else’s Story, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/someone-else-s-story-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.

Emma Bennett

CON 2077: A Wildly Inventive Comedy

27 February 2025 Emma Bennett

CON2077 Rating

★★★★★

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One man. Hundreds of sound cues. A time-traveling plot. That’s all you really need to know before stepping into Con 2077. That, and that Con Coutis is easily one of the funniest performers you’ll see this Fringe season.

The premise? Delightfully ridiculous. In 2027, a meteor strikes Earth, wiping out every comedian—except one. Fast forward to 2077, when an Arctic researcher stumbles upon the lost art of comedy and resurrects the world’s last comedian from cryosleep: Con Coutis. Now, humanity’s fate rests on one man’s ability to rediscover the joke. No pressure.

From the moment Con springs out from behind the red curtain, he commands the stage with an infectious energy that never lets up. Armed with a few props and an impossible number of sound cues, he masterfully blends stand-up, sketch comedy, and physical performance into a high-octane, laugh-out-loud spectacle. His physicality is next-level—flinging himself across the tent, weaving through the audience, dodging invisible ninja spikes, and racing against time to answer a phantom phone call. Very impressive, and the ease at which he moves in and out is a true skill.

Coutis’s ability to balance the absurd with razor-sharp comedic timing is born from natural talent, creativity and dedication to his craft. His deadpan delivery of high-concept sci-fi lunacy—interwoven with spot-on stand-up about everyday life—creates a perfect contrast. One moment, he’s breaking down the price of safes at Bunnings; the next, he’s deciphering cryptic voice recordings left by past Con for future Con. It’s chaotic, it’s clever, and it’s utterly hilarious.

The show’s technical elements are equally as impressive. The precision of its lighting, sound design, and audio effects make Con 2077 feel like a full-blown theatrical production disguised as stand-up. And when the occasional technical hiccup occurs, Coutis rolls with it so smoothly that the audience is left wondering whether it was planned all along.

The real magic, though, is how effortlessly he connects with his audience. The playful participation feels like goofing around with a friend rather than a spotlight interrogation. It’s a testament to Coutis’ warmth and natural charisma—he makes the ridiculous feel relatable and the surreal feel strangely familiar.

So, can Con save the world with comedy? No spoilers here. But one thing’s for sure: Con 2077 is a wildly original, utterly bonkers, and unmissable ride that will have you laughing out loud and leave you in awe. Coutis delivers innovative, fresh, and thoroughly entertaining content. It needs to be seen to be believed, and I encourage you to get yourself to the BankSA Theatre this week.

To book tickets to CON2077, please visit https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/con-coutis-con-2077-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.

Emma Bennett

Light Up The Stage Musical Review

24 February 2025 Emma Bennett

Light Up The Stage Rating

★★★★★

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NOW Productions continue to demonstrate their commitment to developing the next generation of theatre stars—both on stage and behind the scenes! This time, they took on a brand-new challenge a full-blown Musical Revue. Thoroughly entertaining and a fantastic way to spend an evening watching the young cast do what they love.

What a brilliant way to let young performers and tech crews shine by giving them the creative freedom to bring some of the most iconic musicals to life. With such a selection of incredible musicals to choose from, it must’ve been a challenge to narrow it down, the selection allowed for a mix of large ensemble numbers and solo performances, which gave those with more experience and/or confidence, the opportunity to showcase their talents, whilst making it a safe and enjoyable show for those that are perhaps just stepping out.

Split into two acts featuring four musicals each, the show was the result of months of hard work. The show was put together in a relatively short intense rehearsal period, with rehearsals lasting little over a month, demonstrating the commitment and hard work to execute such an outstanding show.

The cast was a fantastic mix of ages and experience levels, and their energy was absolutely contagious! Everyone gave it their all, and the enthusiasm was undeniable. There were some standout performances, of course, but every single performer brought something special to the stage. With just a little more refinement in mic work and vocal blending, those already impressive group numbers will be even stronger in the future.

The costumes and props were simple yet effective, and you could tell the cast was having an absolute blast stepping into such a variety of roles. The show was cleverly structured so that each “Item” featured a selection of songs from a particular musical, with every performer taking on multiple roles throughout the night.

Act I kicked things off with numbers from Matilda the Musical, The Pirates of Penzance, Dear Evan Hansen, and Mary Poppins.

Act II brought even more magic with Come From Away, The Sound of Music, Into the Woods, and Les Misérables. And oh, that finale—One Day More from Les Misérables was breathtaking, showcasing the sheer talent and passion of this group. It was a goosebumps-inducing, heart-soaring moment!

So often, curtain calls feel like an afterthought, but not here. The cast came out in their respective musical groups, each with a uniquely choreographed moment that gave the audience a final glimpse of the show’s incredible range. It was such a clever way to ensure that all cast members were given their moment to receive applause.

With effective lighting, a well-planned (and quick-changing!) set, and a cast that clearly loved every second of being on stage, this Musical Revue was an absolute triumph. Bravo to all involved.

For more information about NOW Productions, please visit https://nowproductionssa.weebly.com/.

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.

Emma Bennett

Tea Tree Players Presents Shirley Valentine

10 February 2025 Emma Bennett

Tea Tree Players Presents Shirley Valentine Rating

★★★★★

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Under the direction of Robert Andrews, Shirley Valentine took centre stage at Tea Tree Players in a truly triumphant fashion. This beloved and enduring classic was brought to life with extraordinary heart and authenticity, spearheaded by the talented Theresa (Lilly) Dolman in the titular role. From the very first moment, Dolman captured the audience’s hearts with her warmth, wit, and masterful storytelling, taking them on an emotional and deeply relatable journey of self-discovery, courage, and transformation.

The play’s universal themes resonate as powerfully today as they did nearly 40 years ago. It’s a story that speaks to anyone who has ever felt trapped in the monotony of routine, longing to rediscover their passions and reclaim their own narrative. The audience was immediately swept up in Shirley’s world—her frustrations, her humour, and ultimately, her awakening. As Shirley bravely stepped out of her comfort zone, laughter rippled through the crowd at her sharp and insightful observations, only to be followed by poignant moments that prompted quiet reflection. One of the play’s most striking lines, “Some people are dead before they die,” hung in the air, leaving a lasting impact.

The set design was deceptively simple yet wonderfully effective, seamlessly transitioning between the confines of Shirley’s dreary kitchen and the liberating beauty of the Mediterranean. This striking contrast visually underscored Shirley’s own evolution, highlighting the journey from stagnation to renewal. The creative team deserves immense credit for bringing such an evocative transformation to the stage.

Dolman’s performance was sensational, she embodied Shirley Valentine with such sincerity and charisma that it felt as though she was speaking directly to each audience member, drawing them in with every word, every sigh, every knowing glance. Her comedic timing was impeccable, ensuring plenty of laughter, but it was her ability to convey Shirley’s vulnerability and strength that truly made the performance unforgettable. By the final act, the audience wasn’t just watching Shirley’s story—they were living it alongside her, feeling every ounce of her hesitation, her excitement, and ultimately, her triumph.

A packed house bore witness to this spectacular production, and judging by the applause and emotional responses, it’s safe to say Shirley Valentine at Tea Tree Players is definitely worth a visit. It was a performance that entertained, inspired, and perhaps even encouraged some to dust off their own forgotten dreams. If ever there was a play that reminds us to take that leap of faith and embrace life’s endless possibilities, this was it.

To book tickets to Tea Tree Players Presents Shirley Valentine, please visit https://teatreeplayers.com/production/shirley-valentine/

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.

Emma Bennett

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