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"What makes the show worth seeing is Pattison’s absolutely blissful stage presence."
"I truly loved Paradise Lots, and I know anyone reading this would too."
"Bevan and Rossen have constructed a tightly wound and well-rehearsed show that sneaks in a quiet emotional payoff in-between, well-observed witticisms."
"BROAD is Quinn's first original show in four years, and it has rightly already received accolades including nominations for the Most Outstanding Show and the Golden Gibbo Award at MICF 2022. Her observational comedy is laugh out loud funny, and there's no questioning Quinn's talent as a singer/songwriter."
"A Play About Ivy, that is really About June has an honesty and emotion that clearly connected with its opening night audience, but I’m looking forward to seeing what Weeks writes next."
"With a bravura performance by Livesey at its centre, Naomi provides an unflinching look at the realities of grief and mental ill health that marks it as a standout at this year’s Melbourne Fringe."
"A tender performance on the horrors of ageing, the perilous hoops the neoliberal internet increasingly forces sex workers to jump through, and what it means to be a chronically ill person and worker in a time that fetishises productivity"
"A powerful and controversial show, Such An Inspiration is the newest show from stand-up comedian, trans woman and voice of a generation Anna Piper Scott"
"Bursting onto the stage with joyful exuberance, Michele da Costa sets the tone for a fun, upbeat hour of comedy right from the get-go."
"Across the board, the acting is excellent. For anyone craving an audacious response to odious behaviour, Teeth and Tonic is the thing to see."
"On The Rise does have an earnest heart and rather a downbeat ending, but it matches these with an overall atmosphere that is lively, mischievously referential and funny."
"Ignis made me feel sordid, tainted by association and in need of a shower, it’s fantastic."
"All of the music and lyrics are original creations and delivered with an amused, naughty satire that keeps the audience laughing from beginning to end. It is an exhausting hour but in all of the good ways!"
"The Whisper is an intuitive theatrical interpretation of a story handed down by family Elders."
"This show is magic. Like, it’s everything. Alex Hines is Everything."
"It was a fantastic show that I’d love to see grow and be built upon with every production it has in Australia."
"As a deconstruction of theatre for experts and amateurs alike, this is a show to see."
"His irreverent lightness of touch, and multi- rolling as the other characters in his story endear him to the audience, encouraging us that we, too, can be proud to be shy."
"this queer odyssey of the heart leaves you feeling refreshingly uncynical as you ponder the moments of yearning from your own life."
"This beautiful, gutsy and talented performer has not bared her soul in vain. Her moving show leaves an indelible stamp on her audience, and educates in a way that is not easily forgotten."
"Eccleshare’s play deals with abstractions, but it’s made very entertaining here by its reversals, its humour, and the subtle performances of Perera and Benton."
"The artist deeply engages with the audience through deliberate, focussed looks such that even her glances are full of meaning."
"The character of Naomi and her story emerges, carried by the power, the naked emotions, and the utter, utter sincerity of the performance. This show has already won two awards at the Adelaide Fringe; it’s not hard to see why."
"Escalate is the thrill of the modern circus with depth in place of pomp. It is for any and everyone but especially for mothers who find their sons flipping water bottles and anything else they can get their hands on. I believe you would find comfort and hope from this energising performance. Well worth an evening in the pretty city for this show."
"Go see this show if you’re looking for cup based puns, matching outfits, singing shoe salesmen, sexy baristas, or a good time."
"The Butterfly Club is the perfect location for this spooky, off-kilter performance"
"It was is an impressive crescendo to this year’s Fringe dance a program."
"The dancing was exceptional"
"The audience was drawn into the story, and the swelling of the music, the rising and falling of the lights."
"This brand of comedy is a most welcome relief from the bin-fire of contemporary politics that we are all living through"
"Often gleefully silly, the show will speak to anyone who’s ever felt unmoored and in need of a hand up."
"an emotionally raw hour of verbatim theatre."
"We all know it’s not real, but when misdirection is this dazzlingly charming, who cares?"
"The audience, stunned by the breathtaking performance they’ve just witnessed, erupt into applause. Truly mesmerising."
"Grand Theft Theatre is a sensitive and intelligent exploration of the vital role memory plays in keeping theatre alive."
"I’d suggest you snap up a ticket to the solitary remaining performance, but it’s sold out. Rightfully so."
"Rajan has combined some of her best talents—comedy and screenwriting, as well as acting and games design – into an interactive digital experience that is all her own."
"His charisma and affable nature are a huge drawcard to this kind of comedy and theatre and Detto displays immense skills as a clown and an improvisor ... you would be mad to not go and experience it for yourself."
"I am extremely thankful that I finally got to experience this unimaginable yet genius mashup of Shakespeare and Aliens ... I implore you to go and see this brilliant production."
"Piper Scott may not see herself as inspirational or even want to be, but one thing she most definitely does is push you to want to do better, and to be better."
"A show fit for the young, old, and Neanderthal in all of us, ‘Prehysterical’ will have you reaching new heights as you do flips of joy."
"Donor strikes a skilled balance between humour and emotional impact – and that excites my theatre-going heart"
"To experience a highly entertaining and engaging, excited and applause filled dome you must see Prehysterical by the Headfirst Acobats! It was said to be something everyone would enjoy and it does not disappoint. There are lots of oohs and ahhs, and laughter throughout right until the final bow."
"I’m excited to see what she does next. I expect she’ll be a regular on the comedy circuit, and I’ll be sure to be in the audience."
"Alessandra and Brehas are both captivating performers, whether in a scene together or alone. They hold a slice of poetry-cake and comedy-cake and let you eat both. This experimental work demands to be listened to."
"That Nat Harris isn’t yet the same household name as Judith Lucy, Jane Turner, or Kitty Flanagan is a little mystifying. I’m sure this mistake will be rectified soon enough."
"This was an extremely enjoyable performance that captures the beauty that is female pleasure and why it should be celebrated. If you would like to learn more about the artistry of female pleasure and sensuality in a light hearted and comedic tone, this is certainly the show for you!"
"It’s a well-planned and played hour that takes you on a wild ride through the city you thought you knew."
"very clever theatrecraft: delightfully creative use of the space and its architecture, rhythm, repetition, accumulation, surprise."
"The young cast of six fresh faced performers did a great job in bringing the many characters to life."
"Like an Australian answer to Bo Burnham, he keeps the audience laughing loudly"
"For millennials who feel unmoored from meaning or steeped in social media, Triplets will be a treat."
"PENDULUM demonstrates inventive vision and astute programming"
"you will leave the tent fully entertained as Anna grows on you with her engaging performance that covers a gamut of topics intelligently and humorously expressed."
" I give it a rating of: worth the trip on two trains from Sandy to Footscray in a flood, or: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ with a 🍓 on top."
"As we left the venue, my ex flatmate affirmed my sentiments, "Well, that was a vibe." Indeed it was. Tell your friends."
"A massively entertaining celebration of female queerness, clear your evening to climb aboard the good ship Slutnik"
"2 Proud 2 Prejudiced is a laugh-out-loud delight and highly entertaining. Make sure it's on your Fringe viewing list!"
"one of the most original, compelling, and thought-provoking productions at Melbourne Fringe this year."
"GODZ seemed to perfectly execute the bold and literally ballsy feat it intended. The show was a rare respite from normal life: providing enough awe and amusement to extinguish all other thoughts."
"Shut Up I’m a Vampire is an intelligent and powerful show by a remarkable artist."
"Ignis presents as a rich tapestry woven together by an unwavering script and excellent acting."
"This show is very funny, very clever and quite moving at times."
"Vivian Nguyen’s one-woman show dissects the modern dating experience – in a confronting, powerful and insightful way."
"This is a beautiful character study and Nichol's performance is wonderful."
"Slutnik is wild and wonderful"
"Naomi is more proof that Patrick Livesey (seen earlier this year in Dirt) is an excellent performer"
"Never Said Motel is an interesting concept"
"Shakespeare Aliens is an entertaining melodrama"
"If you play D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) or any other TTRPG (Tabletop Roleplaying Game), you’ll love TattleTales."
"If it's a good night you're after, don't miss them."
"Clearly, Joshua has placed his heart and soul into these performances, the show was well-rehearsed and the musicianship flawless."
"Raunchy but classy, this is a show of skills, entertainment and innuendos, don't miss it."
"it is safe to say that this will be one of the best shows of the year."
"a show that signals great comic potential and a voice not often heard."
"Intimate performances embrace effortless transformations: Clare Larman moving from the ugly complicity of a politician’s wife to a nostalgic (if uneventful) reunion with an old female flame is one highlight, but there are many others."
"It’s compelling viewing, and the story and performances will stay with me for a while."
"Dieter is a beauty, as is the whole collective. What a supremely talented troupe this is."
"Rest assured, Club Kabarett will hold you on a razor’s edge between titillation and awe that’ll leave you just enough time in-between gasps to applaud."
"BABECITY Hotline might seem risqué, but at its core it’s a heartwarming workplace comedy about a woman finding acceptance and finding herself in an unlikely place. If you’re going to watch a comedy set at a phone sex hotline this Fringe - make this the one you see."
"Underwire is a sublimely witty one hour of tight comedy, parodied pop songs and heartfelt storytelling."
"It’s not often a sketch cabaret can elicit this kind of emotional response, but Straford - a young comedian to watch - nails it."
"The performance was refreshing and it’s irresistibility was delivered by the charismatic performers who were clever in their creation of this absurdly lighthearted tragedy."
"Pops is an exploration of addiction that is nuanced and powerful. The team that has given us the Australian premiere of the show presents the challenging text in a way that is both compelling and empathetic. A stand-out fringe performance that shouldn’t be missed."
"by golly . . . It's wonderful."
"Foreign Body is such an enlightening gem of a show, with delicious twists, turns and callbacks all the way through. Candice D'Arcy's engaging and charismatic presence combined with the paired back simplicity of Trudi Boatwright's direction is well-balanced and thought provoking in its examination of culture, racism, family dynamics and motherhood."
"The work continually collapses and expands, layering apocalyptic comedy and child psychology, contemporary social satire and speculative physics into something fearless and funny and true."
"this is a admirable production that wears its heart on it sleeve and genuinely seeks to connect with its audience."
"It's shows like type-a-poet that make Fringe Festivals exciting. This is a unique experience that is yours and yours alone. No one else will ever have the moment you have shared with Snelling. 24 hours after my visit to the Temple of Poetry I read my poem and continue to be amazed at how much the silence between us speaks volumes on paper."
"The show makes good on its promise of “An all-Aussie, Rock and Roll, powerhouse show” – which featured a number of high-energy routines that suited the 80’s rock soundtrack."
"Melbournians have had plenty of serious stuff to deal with for the last couple of years. The antidote might just be the kind of frivolous, loose fun we can find in an 8:30pm Fringe show like Kieran Bullock’s Ikea Wars, a useful addition to a night at Trades Hall."
"this is an hour of easy-going, family-friendly fun. (A most ingenious paradox!)"
"Pillow Fight is a show I have been needing to see for a long time, a play I have been waiting for, yearning for, and I didn’t even know it."
"This play has value and importance. It should not be missed. I trust Pillow Fight will resurface with extended performances."
"Hostage is a clever, and very funny play and an enjoyable night at the theatre"
"This performance is of a professional standard (whatever that means), but still maintains an essential rawness and is being facilitated by creatives with a certain level of training and refined skills and resources and opportunities between them. Those who enjoy narrative, dialogue and actor driven theatre presented with a certain level of polish will relish seeing this wonderful adaption of an overseas play."
"Benjamin Nichols and Izabella Yena are rightfully asserting a place for themselves in the local theatre scene for their exciting and innovative theatre making; they are being recognised by critics and awards committees and this performance will undoubtedly stand out as being one of the highlights of this years Fringe festival."
"SIRENS is a queer coming-of-age story that strikes a delicate, powerful chord thanks to the nuance and intensity of its characterisation, the intimacy and emotional depth that writer-performer Benjamin Nichol brings to the stage."
"If you are the kind of person who likes games like 'Murder' you will love Tattle Tales."
"Staged in the equally mysterious cellar of the East End wine bar Bard’s Apothecary, ‘TattleTales’ provides audiences with an hour of haunting, yet beautifully rich storytelling."
"A great prospect for groups who know each other and can bounce off each-other’s ideas – take some friends. I went on my own and was soon happily swept up into the throng. Highly recommended."
"Everything is a Lie promises to be a ‘wildly relatable hour of comedy, song and the realisation that we’re all just making it up‘ and boy oh boy, does it ever deliver."
"If you want to see on stage a fine example of something tough, strong and well-made from the 1960s, (and I'm not just referring to my nan's kitchen table used as both prop and apparatus) grab your tickets now and enjoy Zoe. You are never too old for the circus. Even if you don't usually go to the circus this will enthral, amaze and scare you… in a fabulous way."
"Through dark comedic wit and magnetic naturalism Jessica Stanley lures the audience into her world through the subtle exploration of everyday sounds, and the world of audial sensitivity. We even get a bedtime story, which is an absolute treat for adults!"
"“JSMR" is a visceral experience that is likely to be the most engaging night at the theatre you’ve had in a while."
"Stanley seamlessly combines commentary and satire within her scenes, simultaneously fascinated and skeptical by the fetishism and commodification that is at play in ASMR."
"Stanley will whisper away your worries for 45 minutes, and by the end of the show, you’ll be singing her praises. Loudly."
"audiences won’t quickly forget the trashy fun of this Happy Hour."
"York hits all the right notes while barnstorming sing-along power ballads from the likes of Celine Dion. And while this saucy trio’s brand of camp fantabulousness is a silly good time, there’s real showbiz skill to how York spins audience suggestions of what they love/hate into a rousing tune on the spot. Catch her if you can."
"Andrew (TikTok star, Green Room award-winner) and O’Brien (neither) previously had a sold-out tour of No Hat, No Play! The Cabaret! They’ve certainly backed this up with Shit-Wrecked!, which is indeed a seaworthy vessel for their comedy."
"It wouldn’t be fair to ruin the surprises, but these Gods will certainly set you up for a wild ride of glitz and camp."
"With voice over, slapstick and a larrikin spirit, Head First weave their circus prowess into a lot of silly, that skillfully coheres into an extremely fun show that will leave a huge smile on everyone’s dial."
"Head First Acrobats are first and foremost people-pleasing circus and with GODZ they have gifted us mere mortals with a winning production that is as electrifying as Zeus could have ever hoped he was."
"Combining Rihanna bangers with awe-inspiring aerial work, whip-cracking action, death-defying balancing acts and bawdy humour galore, it’s a strip tease packed with mad skills. By Zeus, do they bring the love and thunder(ous applause)."
"SLUTNIK™ is a space adventure you do not want to miss out on."
"Admittedly, Bell only sold out a 25 seat back-room. Yet, it feels he could be on his way. Possibly soon, he may even headline a front-room."
"Bernie Dieters Club Kabarett is definitely worth frocking up for and venturing out to see. Take your friends and make a night of it. And if you’re thinking of going with your parents, maybe send them on a different evening – the ‘silver foxes’ will love it too. "
"the familiar tunes of each song and undeniable charisma of those on stage will have you “part of that world”."
"Sunanda’s dramatic chops shone when they appropriate well-known tracks from the songstress’s body of work as a storytelling tool and wove lyrical puns into the monologue... The musical numbers will make you yell “hit me baby, one more time”."
"Sunanda Loves Britney is a camp celebration of the queer body and growing up in your own time."
"Overwhelmingly beautiful and remarkably powerful."
"It’s moving and thought-provoking visual theatre that’s also terrific fun."
"Shelton's unrivalled stage presence and her confidence with the material, allows her to inject darker and more twisted elements that leave the audience considering this from a different perspective..."
"A Leah Shelton performance is an event to be experienced if you have the means and opportunity, fortunately for local audiences her new show Batsh*t playing at Darebin Arts is an exhilarating and often poignant platform for her immense skill and status as a performance artist."
"While the content is undoubtedly heavy, it’s also very, very funny. Piper Scott’s writing is immaculate and cleverly laced."
"Producers Insite Arts have developed an exceptional production alongside a crew of First Nations and non-Indigenous talent, including legendary composer Lou Bennett. A true joy to watch and learn for parents and kids over 4 years alike."
"Drag Supper Club is a delight for the senses, a show so stimulating its energy verges on frenetic."
"an ABBA-inspired pigeon and a series of impressions of different aunts all hit the mark. As do demonic diversions in tone of voice, mastered by the likes of Anne Edmonds and Danielle Walker, which keep the audience on edge."
"Having taken home the Golden Gibbo at the 2021 Comedy Festival, Lolly Bag is the next step towards stardom for a rapidly rising comedic talent. Put it on your must-see list."
"just like a bunny, it’s cute, deploying Noel Gay’s bleak but bouncy tune ‘Run Rabbit Run’ to burrow into the gloriously absurd, playful nature of this sassy, smart show."
"Throw Catch Collective have dished up quite a spectacular show with Escalate."
"Escalate is refreshing, brilliantly conceived contemporary circus that should uplift the broadest audience, perhaps especially those who strain to juggle the demands of life outside the theatre."
"it’s Nguyen’s authentic and vulnerable performance that makes it an engaging story."
"there are plenty of moments to love during this show and it will definitely satisfy an audience with it’s relevancy and cleverness."
"It’s not often that one comes out of a performance feeling enriched by the experience ... Donor, written and performed by Julia Grace, does just that."
"Donor showcases an actor at the top of their game and reveals the emergence of a gifted writer with a distinctive voice. Make sure you check out this little gem before the short season concludes."
"A couple of catchy tunes tempt a sing-along but it’s the glorious voice of Emily Jacker-Lawrence that truly elates"
"a superbly made musical work that seamlessly blends spoken word, song and dance to explore what it means to search for meaningful connection in the modern world."
"This impressive site-specific work will leave you thrumming."
"Capturing themes and moments that are highly relatable, Weeks successfully produces a snapshot of life as a lost 20 something-year old, recreated onstage."
"Cabaret Night Fever is an insane yet touching experience in the theatre. Treat yourself."
"...a show that signals great comic potential and a voice not often heard."
"Andrew (TikTok star, Green Room award-winner) and O’Brien (neither) previously had a sold-out tour of No Hat, No Play! The Cabaret! They’ve certainly backed this up with Shit-Wrecked!, which is indeed a seaworthy vessel for their comedy. Anchors aweigh! This 7.00pm show – full of topical issues, odd angles, and bangers – is sure to set you up for a quality night of Melbourne Fringe cruising at Trades Hall."
"Deceptively simple in its visuals, This is Where We Live is complex and tense, telling a multi-layered story of family violence, disability, hopelessness, emotional abuse, parental expectations and the systems that work against young people trying to free themselves from their life trajectories. Packed with psychological insight into the impacts of trauma, family violence and disability on young people, the play provides insight into the trapped lives in which many young people find themselves. It’s compelling viewing, and the story and performances will stay with me for a while."
"A glorious celebration of friendship, queerness and solidarity, SLUTNIK™ is the story of five women who have had enough of the patriarchy and want out – all the way off this planet."
"Hines nails the delivery and dedication to the character."
"Grand Theft Theatre is a sensitive and intelligent exploration of the vital role memory plays in keeping theatre alive. They possess the talent, commitment and technique to make theatre as memorable as many of the artists they admire, and someone should throw money at them, pronto, so they can take their work to the next level."
"It’s an anguished question posed by one of the many characters whose skin startlingly talented performer Patrick Livesey assumes, affecting markedly different voices and physicality during an emotionally raw hour of verbatim theatre."
"Bernie Dieters Club Kabarett is definitely worth frocking up for and venturing out to see. Take your friends and make a night of it. And if you’re thinking of going with your parents, maybe send them on a different evening – the ‘silver foxes’ will love it too."
"“f--king phenomenal”. Frankly, all I can say is ditto, Dieter, ditto. Isn’t it joyous when an enthralled crowd spontaneously stomps its feet to show appreciation, swept up in the ecstasy of witnessing gloriously talented artists performing extraordinary feats?"
"Having taken home the Golden Gibbo at the 2021 Comedy Festival, Lolly Bag is the next step towards stardom for a rapidly rising comedic talent. Put it on your must-see list."
"Donor showcases an actor at the top of their game and reveals the emergence of a gifted writer with a distinctive voice. Make sure you check out this little gem before the short season concludes."
"You’re a Catch! Why Are You Single? is a superbly made musical work that seamlessly blends spoken word, song and dance to explore what it means to search for meaningful connection in the modern world."
"This duo has it all going for them with the accent, their look, their persona, their shenanigans on stage, their movements - so cute, their song choice - making it a night of unadulterated laughter and entertainment."
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