Black Puddin’ | Adelaide Fringe 2022 review

Theatre, comedy, drag, circus, music and dance artists have put together a light, bright, sequin-and-fishnet-filled romp.

Black Puddin'.

Black Puddin’

Dance/Drag

Rating: ****

Arts Theatre

Until March 19

Adelaide-based dancer and choreographer Thomas Fonua, well known locally from his years with Australian Dance Theatre, is a proud (and out) Pasifika performer whose experience sadly also includes more than a little casual, and occasionally intentional racism.

Indeed, he copped it in a notorious review of a (terrific) Fringe show in 2021.

In response, his alter ego Kween Kong and the formidable Haus of Kong Collective, a company of artists across theatre, comedy, drag, circus, music and dance, have put together Black Puddin’.

This unique and ambitious show blends all these skills in a light, bright, sequin-and-fishnet-filled romp that is unapologetic in every way.

The production values hearken back to the heady days of Jan Hillier’s Pokeys in the ’80s but with a breadth of onstage talent that the clubs of yore could only ever dream of.

Long-time collaborator Victoria Falconer-Pritchard’s firm hand as MC-cum-wrangler ensures that the acts, like the laughs, keep rolling on.

With a late change of venue, and artists stranded in the flood-stricken eastern states, it’s a miracle the show got up at all. More power to them.