So another Melbourne Fringe Festival draws to a close. With over 450 events on this year, I managed to get myself to 61 shows (matching my 2016 record), despite telling myself I would take it easy this year. However, with such a variety of works being performed there was no way I was going to miss any. Covering interactive and immersive work, cabaret, theatre, live art, circus, comedy and dance, there really is something for everyone to enjoy and experience at Melbourne Fringe Festival.
As usual, there were so many shows I wish I could have made it to but my clone is still a little way off from completion so I hope I will have an opportunity to catch those in the future in some way, shape or form. But it's not a Melbourne Fringe Festival - for me anyway - without compiling a list of my top ten shows, so here it is. Links to original reviews can be found next to the show's title. Enjoy!
1. Mime Consultant - review
Every
now and again you see a show where you think you know what you’re
getting yourself into but end up with something completely unexpected
and far better than anything you could have imagined. Patrick Collins’ Mime Consultant
is that show. Adding mime to his repertoire of comedian, magician and
bisexual, he delivers an unforgettable hour of non-stop laughter as he
helps people achieve their mime dreams.
It’s
evident that Collins has worked on each second of this show that then
allows him the to be in complete control on the stage. His dissection of
his material from all angles ensures that no joke is left unturned and
as a result they are a source of constant entertainment. There is not a
single flat moment or a punchline that doesn’t land. With a seemingly
loose format, you’re constantly surprised with every sketch performed
and then amazed with where that leads. Mime Consultant
shows a performer at the top of his game who has taken this
traditionally silent art form and turned it (and comedy) into a truly
unique experiences for audiences.
Scott is on a date with a woman when his heart decides to disappear. Left with no choice but to deep dive inside his own body to try and locate it, where he meets an assortment of 'characters' along the way, including Brain, Dick and Mr. Fuck You Guy. Performed by Scott Wings, Whiplash is a thoughtful reflection on masculinity, mental health and relationships expressed through spoken word and physical theatre.
Wings conjures strong visual images with his descriptive words and in return there are plenty of emotional reactions to be felt. There is a vulnerability in the narrative and he isn't afraid to open himself up to a room full of strangers. He has a knack for finding the humour in a situation and ensures the story is filled with these observations. As he passes the stomach and comes across a ball of gum and nails long ago consumed, we smile at the familiarity of that brief comment. His tone and intonation throughout are effective in creating the atmosphere and his considered pacing stresses the urgency and intensity of our protagonist's circumstances but also allows for a breather as needed.
Every now and again you see a show where you think you know what you’re getting yourself into but end up with something completely unexpected and far better than anything you could have imagined. Patrick Collins’ Mime Consultant is that show. Adding mime to his repertoire of comedian, magician and bisexual, he delivers an unforgettable hour of non-stop laughter as he helps people achieve their mime dreams.
It’s evident that Collins has worked on each second of this show that then allows him the to be in complete control on the stage. His dissection of his material from all angles ensures that no joke is left unturned and as a result they are a source of constant entertainment. There is not a single flat moment or a punchline that doesn’t land. With a seemingly loose format, you’re constantly surprised with every sketch performed and then amazed with where that leads.
His karaoke act is everything you don’t expect from karaoke and his strawberry pun is a hysterical look at peaking too soon and the decline of his relationship. His attempt at writing a romance novel is pure magic and the set-up to his epic bowling competition fail results in epic hilarity for us.
It’s 1962 and a university lecturer in Melbourne has been fired from his position due to having an affair with a student. A male student. As he packs his belongings, he ponders what the next chapter of his life will entail. Should he stay silent and continue living with his adoring wife or does he take a brave step forward and explore his feelings for Henry at a time when homosexuality is still illegal in Australia.
As William deals with the immediate repercussions of his relationship being uncovered, The Will To Be flashbacks to his life with Lola and his encounters with Henry. Mark Salvestro puts in an admirable performance as the educator, with his quivering voice, nervous disposition and hints of a longing to be himself. The way he describes his sexual encounter with Henry is suitably erotically awkward and very much in line with the character that is presented to us.
In All I See Is You, Bobby and Ralph meet, kiss and
fall in love. It wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow today but in England 1967 it
was another story, where your sexuality could get you thrown into jail. Written
by Kathrine Smith, the play looks at the challenges two people in love faced at
a time when simply being themselves was a danger to their very existence.
The narrative moves at a consistent pace with Smith covering
a lot of ground in its 60 minutes, beginning with Ralph and Bobby’s first fervent encounter. The chemistry between the actors intensifies
from there as they continue to share some fiercely passionate scenes. As the more sexually liberated of the pair, Ciarán Griffiths presents
a tenderness and impetuousness to Bobby’s character. Christian Edwards as the
straight-laced Ralph finds a vulnerable fear as he grapples with who he is and
the expectations of who he ought to be. The two are able to display the affection the two have for each other despite coming from different backgrounds.
Every
now and again you see a show where you think you know what you’re
getting yourself into but end up with something completely unexpected
and far better than anything you could have imagined. Patrick Collins’ Mime Consultant
is that show. Adding mime to his repertoire of comedian, magician and
bisexual, he delivers an unforgettable hour of non-stop laughter as he
helps people achieve their mime dreams. 
