Sweetie | Adelaide Fringe 2022 review

A warm-hearted solo performance from Dummies Corp’s Simon Wright mixes physical comedy, acrobatics and a touch of magic.

Sweetie.

Sweetie

Circus

Rating: ***1/2

The Kingfisher at Gluttony

Until March 20

A warm-hearted and brave solo performance from Dummies Corp’s Simon Wright, Sweetie is an affecting parody that mixes physical comedy, acrobatics and a touch of magic.

Not to mention a cracking soundtrack, particularly if you are fan of Simon and Garfunkel.

The show hits its stride in the second half with some excellent acrobatics, some laugh-out-loud funny crowd interaction, and a deeply moving conclusion.

An ultimately uplifting ode to what it is to age, to be lonely, to have experienced loss and illness, it is told through the eyes of Grandma Josephine whose “Sweetie” refrain, coupled with tossing lollies into the crowd, was a joy for the kids at our show.

There is, however, a second meaning for the show’s title which invites a classic moment near the end – and one I won’t spoil here.

It is clearly a labour of love for Wright, who dedicates the performance to grandmothers and mothers everywhere and encourages the audience to ring their mums and nannas.

It was the first thing we did when we came out.