Bernie Dieter’s picks of the Fringe
When a powerhouse of Australian cabaret calls with her top tips for your Adelaide viewing pleasure, you bet your boots we’re going to listen
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Elf Lyons: Swan
Elf is a brilliant clown and her punk-fuelled rendition of Swan Lake promises ballet, violence, wrestling, nudity, an evil owl, magic, 45 bras and a very loose grasp of the French language. I can’t wait.
The Courtyard Of Curiosities (State Library), 20 February–22 March, 7.30pm.
History Of House: Greatest Hits
Australia’s original superstar DJ Groove Terminator and South Africa’s incredible Soweto Gospel Choir return to Adelaide with their greatest hits. I was lucky enough to see one of their shows in Sydney and the choir just absolutely blew me away. The vocals are powerhouse and you’ll just want to dance all night.
Gluttony Rymill Park, 20 & 21 February, 27 February–1 March, 6–8, 12–15, 19–22 March, 8.30pm.
The Lady Boys Of Bangkok
I had the privilege of sharing a tent with these gorgeous humans one year in Brighton and the show is so much fun! The girls are stunning, the costumes are incredible: it’s high camp at its very best.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 18 February–22 March, 9pm.
Lash Out
This is a world-class, all-female circus cabaret. With so many powerful women in one cast, this show is sure to be fierce, feminine and fabulous.
Fool’s Paradise, 26 February–1 March, 4–9 March, 8.50pm.
Madame Martha’s Parisian Cabaret
This is a powerhouse trio of performers fusing live vocals, dance, burlesque and drag in a decadent late-night escape. It stars the gorgeous Iva Rosebud (who is performing with us in Club Kabarett) and, as you’ll see, when you are with Iva, you are always in for one hell of a party.
Gluttony Rymill Park, 27 & 28 February, 6–8 March, 10.20pm.
Skank Sinatra: The Name On Everybody’s Lips
Skank is Australia’s next drag superstar with killer vocals, looks and high heels to match. This show is bound to be a camp Broadway extravaganza with buckets of sass. Don’t miss it.
Gluttony Rymill Park, 9–14 March, 6pm.
Tash York’s Chaos Cabaret
Tash is a diva of the highest order and this improvised variety gameshow is bound to be one of the wildest nights of your life. There will be wine, there will be nudity and there will most definitely be chaos.
Gluttony Rymill Park, 3–9 March, 7.30pm.
Trevor Jones: Sing It!
Trevor is my favourite piano man. Can play anything, can sing anything with so much energy and passion; it’s infectious. Guaranteed to have you belting showtunes from the top of the bar by the end of the night, and yes, I do speak from personal experience!
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 8, 15, 22 March, 3pm.
Twenty Sixteen
The team behind smash hit show 27 Club bring you this high-energy rockumentary, with one of Australia’s hottest seven-piece bands covering songs by Bowie, Prince and Sharon Jones (just to name a few). This will be one of the best live music gigs at the Fringe.
Gluttony Rymill Park, 19 February–9 March, 6.30pm.
Wright&Grainger's Eurydice
A retelling of a retelling of an ancient myth, a fusion of storytelling and soaring electronica. Wright&Grainger make beautiful theatre for the times when you want to be truly transported.
The Courtyard Of Curiosities (State Library), 19 February–20 March, 8.30pm.
Main picture: Madame Martha’s Parisian Cabaret / credit: Solitude & Co.