Stewart is incredibly passionate and committed as Goody, showing exceptional control over the character and comfortably navigating the highs and lows of Goody's temperament and personality. Their choreography and lip-syncing acts keep in line with who Goody is, and you can easily see that Stewart has become Goody Prostate.Stewart has made Goody a German drag artist, and he executes a convincing German accent. But Goody is not German just so Stewart can put on an accent and jeweled lederhosen. This character attribute allows Stewart to cleverly refer to past historical events that bring in humour and remind us that progress can always be reversed.
Director Tiah Bullock and dramaturg George Lazaris have worked well to guide this story and ensure that the audience and the ideas that are presented do not get lost in Goody's chaotic world. There's a constant, and careful, push and pull between being over the top and showing genuine concern and rage.
Kinder tackles significant and timely LGBTQ issues and it provides plenty to consider as we leave the venue, however there are some moments where the link between the children's storytelling event and what Stewart raises gets tenuous and begins to feel more of an opportunity for Goody to get on their soapbox on queerness and identity.
Plenty of heart and love (and rage) has been spent creating Kinder and while we have not even reached the halfway point of the Fringe Festival, I suspect it will be harder to find a more memorable performance than Stewart's.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Trades Hall, Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton
Season: 10 - 12 October | 9:00pm
Venue: Floridia, 1/9 Wellington St, Flemington
Season: Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 October | 6:45pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $24.50 Full | $20 Conc
Bookings: Melbourne Fringe Festival
Image credit: Alex Winner
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