While much of the Adelaide Fringe buzz gravitates toward the city’s glitter and garden-party glow, some of the most compelling theatre is happening just a little further west.
Holden Street Theatres continues to prove that you don’t need a Ferris wheel in the background to create unforgettable live performance. Tucked into Adelaide’s Inner West, this multi-venue hub quietly and confidently delivers work that is bold, thoughtful, provocative and deeply entertaining.
During this year’s Fringe season, three very different productions crossed our path: a soulful musical tribute, a razor-sharp world premiere, and a biting, high-energy one-woman class commentary. Different tones. Different styles. Same result; each one held its audience and left them talking.
Here’s a brief look at why these three deserve a spot on your Fringe radar.
“Bob Marley, How Reggae Changed the World”
From the moment writer/performer Duane Forrest entered the theatre, strumming his way down the centre aisle, you had the feeling that everything was going to be alright. And it was more than alright. Forrest has an appealing, very engaging persona and from the moment he started his storytelling via music, gentle humour, and clever use of projected graphics the audience was captivated – and also invited to sing along. Don’t worry, be happy you’ve booked to see this show.
“The Debate”
Written by and staring Holden Street Theatre’s Artistic Director and award winning actor Martha Lott, there’s a lot to admire and enjoy – in a sometimes uncomfortable sort of way – in this World Premiere. Uncomfortable, because Lott’s performance as the brash, manipulative, fiercely ambitious Mother is so convincing, one can’t help but squirm on occasions. Is there no length she will not go to, to ensure her daughter reaches the heights of …. you’ll have to see the show. The measures explained in Lott’s epic and magnificently delivered monologue are alarming, not without humour, but at the end of the day, horrifying.
But it is the daughter, captively played by Lotts’s daughter Amelia Lott-Watson and the perfect foil for Lott’s assertiveness who has the last word, in an equally well delivered closing argument.
No debate. For the affirmative : have it on your must see Fringe list. For the Negative : it will probably book out – don’t delay.
“Eat the Rich (but maybe not me mates x)”
What happens when, given your working class roots, you somewhat unexpectedly but gleefully gain entrance into Cambridge University. Then, the fellow student (not working class) you fall into a relationship with, discovers that you are in fact the cleaner of his Uni digs, as well as a student.
Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner plays Jade, a Scouser who graduates from working in a call centre, to studying at Uni, but against the rules, cleans on the side to survive.
What unfolds is a highly entertaining and funny story of adaption, class divides and attempts to fit in, not to mention keeping a secret. Fisher-Ryners unbounding energy and her use of a supply of props is captivating. And it’s hard to believe she is the only person on stage, such is the characters she calls on in her journey.
Eat the Rich? Eat up a ticket or two.
All three shows are on at Holden Street Theatres until March 22.
Tickets via Holden Street Box Office, or FringeTix.
Tickets and shows here
