Adelaide Fringe reviews 2024: Wankernomics 2.0 — As Per My Last Email, England & Son, London Calling, 27 Club and more
With more than 1400 shows on offer this Adelaide Fringe, it can be tough to know where to start. Whether you’re into comedy, theatre or music, see our reviews.
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With more than 1400 shows on offer this Adelaide Fringe, it can be tough to know where to start.
Whether you’re into comedy, theatre, music or cabaret, check out our verdict on some of the top shows this festival season.
Wankernomics 2.0 – As Per My Last Email
Comedy
The Virago at Gluttony until March 3
3 stars
The ever-engaging James Schloeffel and Charles Firth are masters of mockery in their second incarnation of Wankernomics, carrying the willing audience down to corporate hell via the all-too-familiar workplace douchebaggery we all pretend not to partake in.
Because let’s face it, the allure of corporate jargon holds strong.
Wankernomics is exactly what it says on the tin. Pithy observations on the eyeroll-inducing nonsense of LinkedIn lingo, passive aggressive emails and meeting malarkey guarantee a solid laugh out of sheer relatability. But while the Gluttony offering is and whip-sharp in its shining moments, taking some clever, unexpected turns as it progresses, there’s only so much “circling back” one can do.
While you’d think there’d be mountains of content in poking fun at office culture, as it turns out, it’s actually quite hard to squeeze an hour of comedy out of the topic
A delightfully silly take on the cringe workplace banality we’re exposed to daily, Schloeffel and Firth’s comic genius is finessed to an impressive degree.
But by the end, it started to feel a little bit like that third meeting of the day that could have been an email.
– Bella Fowler
England & Son
Theatre
The Studio at Holden Street Theatres until March 17
4 stars
A down-and-out meth addict wakes in a dumpster in Dover, his friend Paul already crushed in the recycling plant. British comic actor Mark Thomas tells the multi-layered, tragic tale of
how he came to be there. It only hurts when it’s not funny.
Somehow this one-man saga of underclass youths being devoured by social injustices grows into a critique of decline and fall of empire in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain.
But there’s always out-loud laughs lurking in Thomas’s extrovert, tightly choreographed antics in this theatre-in-the-round show. The pace is furious. He goes seamlessly from character, to narrator, to stand-up comic.
Playwright Ed Edwards has it in for Empire, for Britain, and particularly for the brutalisation of juvenile detention, brought to life here in gruelling ways.
It is tough, high quality theatre made larger by its all-embracing lighting and sound effects.
The story of how the central character becomes expert in collectibles is a delight.
– Tim Lloyd
27 Club
Music
The Fantail at Gluttony until March 17
5 stars
Celebrate the lives of those artists who left us too soon at the 27 Club; a show that will have
your foot tapping from the first strum of the guitar to the final goose-bump inducing medley.
The team of four singers and their band of supremely-talented musicians will have you reliving the good old days and wondering why they just don’t make music like this anymore.
The stars of the show – Kevin Mitchell, Sarah McLeod, Carla Lippis and Dusty Lee Stephensen – can sing, like, really SING. They will have you swooning over Amy Winehouse
one moment and headbanging along to a classic Kurt Cobain tune the next.
Keep in mind that this is not an impersonation show but rather an opportunity for every cast member to show off their unique takes on song by artists who passed away at the young age of 27. The rendition of Janis Joplin’s Take Another Little Piece of My Heart is a particular highlight.
There is no point getting comfy in your seat because you will pretty much be fighting the urge to get up and dance every moment of this electrifying performance.
This show respectfully highlights the lives and hits of the 27 Club and pays respect to the artists that will forever leave us wanting more.
– Ruby Stewart
London Calling
Cabaret/magic
The Peacock at Gluttony until March 17
4 stars
Named after the classic punk rock album by The Clash, this gala-style variety show returns after a successful 2023 debut where it scooped up the ‘Pick of the Fringe’ award.
While a salute to England’s capital, London Calling’s performers are a veritable United Nations of talent from around the globe.
Guided by debonair host Paul Dabek, it all begins with German artist Antje Pode, who demonstrates a remarkable ability to juggle old-school suitcases (and handbags and oranges – all at the same time).
Charming magician Charlie Caper, a previous winner of Sweden’s Got Talent, brings a lovely comedic touch to his simple sleight of hand. Decked out in a three-piece suit, he somehow manages to keep us all guessing despite the relatively straight forward nature of his sorcery.
Then there’s unicyclist Sam Goodburn, a new addition to the show in 2024, who completes everything from the amazing to the mundane, all while balancing on his single-wheel bike.
Aussies Chelsea Angell, a hula hooper extraordinaire, and gravity-defying aerialist Shaunah Johnson, present more conventional Fringe fare but both have their moments and keep momentum going.
Overall, it’s a crisp hour of entertainment that’s unlikely to disappoint.
– Antimo Iannella
Grav
Theatre
Ruby’s at Holden Street Theatres until March 17
5 stars
This is a finely polished international gem of a theatre work, brought to life by a true believer and fine actor, Welshman Gareth J Bale.
Grav – since most South Australians won’t know – was Raymond Gravell, star centre of Welsh and British rugby in the 1970s. This will pose no problem, because it is the story of any sports icon of the soft-hearted, steely demeanoured type, and anyway, he beats the All-Blacks.
In the tiny Ruby’s theatre, backed by a locker room set, we gradually learn the weight of all the emotions that any sportsman must take on to the field. It is a glorious exposition by Welsh playwright Owen Thomas full of marvellous turns of phrase capturing the highs and lows, undercut by humour.
Bale is winning, shaping scenes with self-deprecating comedy, Welsh-accented and with a bit of Gaelic thrown in.
Grav is sculpted by his family, his village and his coaches, and set loose as a rugby centre who can stop the might of a bulldozing opposition in its tracks.
– Tim Lloyd
Fafi D’Alour Uncut
Cabaret/burlesque
Ukiyo at Gluttony until February 25
3.5 stars
Madame Fafi D’Alour leads an ensemble of women who exude talent, sass and girl power.
The sultry singing by Eliza Dickson is joyful and aerialist Georgia Rose demonstrates her amazing strength and agility with ropes as well as her cheeky humour as she works the room.
All are wonderfully supported by dancers Sarah Wilson and Tara Beyne throughout the show.
Fafi herself is multi-talented, strutting her stuff on stage with several routines including singing, burlesque and a mesmerising fire performance.
She commands attention on stage with her presence and the audience were happy to give it to her.
The numerous segments of the show are stitched together by cameos by each of the cast as a segue to the next act.
Every performer also acts as a stage handstagehand, smoothly moving props in and out to assist whoever is performing the next item which really helps blend the show.
Fafi D’Alour Uncut is a showcase of South Australian talent that shouldn’t be missed.
– Brenton Edwards
History of House
Music
The Fantail at Gluttony until March 17
4.5 stars
Singer Gloria Estefan perhaps said it best: “the rhythm is gonna get you”.
Right from the opening dance beats, your hips start swaying, your head starts bopping and off you go on a dazzling, dance music journey through the decades, thanks to DJ Groove Terminator and the stunning Soweto Gospel Choir.
The bangers come thick and fast, starting off with Deeper Love and Right on Time, into Music Sounds Better With You and Show Me Love. By the middle of the first tune, many of the audience are already on their feet and have turned the front of stage into their own personal dancefloor.
The Grammy award-winning choir are the undisputed stars of the show, with all members of the 16-strong ensemble demonstrating their incredible vocals and wicked dance moves.
The set list covers all the 70s and 80s classics you’d expect, including infectious tracks by Chic, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, Prince and Whitney Houston, plus a few surprise choices to keep you guessing. Their new remix of Good Life (Impilo Emnande) is another highlight.
Sing Hallelujah! is the crowd-pleasing closer, bringing everyone to their feet for one last showstopping number, as chants of “one more song, one more song” ring out across the venue.
Quite simply, it’s the most fun you’ll have on a Tuesday night in Adelaide – and almost any other night of the week too.
– Antimo Iannella
Adults Only Magic Show
Magic
The Virago at Gluttony until March 17
5 stars
Leave your inhibitions at the door. This is magic like you have never seen it.
Magicians Sam Hume and Justin Williams have been besties since their teens and their rapport is on full display as they wow the eager audience with their clever comedy and well-rehearsed magic.
MC Magnus ‘Danger’ Magnus gets the audience revved up to speed with energy, charm and humour before the maestro magicians bring on the razzle dazzle.
Audience participation is a pivotal part of the show with everyone fully involved with the crazy antics bringing plenty of gasps and laughs.
As the name suggests, it is adults only entertainment as all three performers show there’s nothing hidden in their sleeves, or anywhere else.
You won’t be looking at your watch with this one.
– Brenton Edwards
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