A final word about our visit to the Adelaide Fringe Festival. The visit was cut slightly short due to our flight delays and cancellations, landing us three days late. However, here are a few more reviews, and a general summary. First, a review of a show which played at the hidden gem of a theatre – Warehouse Theatre – slightly off the main fringe hub, but well worth discovering and well worth a visit as the theatre does play all year round.
(Kevin Short)
MAYBE LATER
Presented by: Commedia dell’ongblack
Directed by: Tess Branchflower & Declan Carter
The Warehouse Theatre, 8 Unley Road SA 5061
Stories about people addicted to their cellphones have become a bit of a cliché. However, playwright Tess Branchflower attempts to put a new twist on the relationship between human and device with Maybe…Later. Adriana Pannuzzo assumes the role of the procrastinator, with Alex Warby as her digital enabler. The show shines a light on how an electronic device can overtake one’s life to the extreme that productive living outside the “cell” ceases to exist. The creativity in this piece lies with the decision to give the cellphone a human form. Would people make derogatory remarks on social media if they had to make them directly to someone’s face? Maybe…Later is a thoughtful piece of writing that hopefully provokes audiences to question their relationship with their devices, so they can start living in the here and now. Congratulations to this Melbourne-based troupe for shining this warning inspirational light.
(Reviewer Kathryn S Kraus Edited by Kevin Short)
This year, the iconic Popeye 1 Cruise Boat became a floating artwork in celebration of philanthropist James Ramsay’s birth, and I was privileged to perform on this new incarnation. It would be remiss not to praise the Popeye team for all they achieved over the festival period and, indeed, continue to do so throughout the year. The festival Dream Boat cruise is a fringe mainstay. Presented by Endless Grooves, this is a must for young music lovers who like to move and groove as the boat cruises along the River Torrens. More sedate cruises, include the High Tea Cruise (which I attended) that provides the best in cream teas, champers, fancy cakes and sandwiches, and what you can’t eat you can take home. Then, one I failed to attend only because it is not my favorite drink is the Gin Cruise which allows you to experience Kangaroo Island by sampling their range of special gins. All in all, Popeye Cruise Boats are a must for any visitors to Adelaide. Read all about them here:
(Reviewer Kevin Short)
FINAL SUMMARY
Apart from all the eclectic and diverse range of shows and venues at the Adelaide Fringe, there was also a wonderful array of Street Performers (Basketball Man – also doing his own show – Ballet Busker, FlowLaiYee circus performer from Hong Kong, to name a few) and they helped keep the festival spirit alive as we walked along the malls. So good that the Festival credited these 68 hard-working street professionals who came from all parts of the globe. I can’t praise the Fringe team enough for providing and coordinating a Festival worthy of global recognition, and I’m sure it will go from strength to strength in the years to come. Thank you to all, and here’s to the next time. Bravo Adelaide Fringe!