Sound and Fury's "Spaceship Man" and The Jane Austen Argument's "The Space Between" reviews

Sound and Fury's "Spaceship Man"

Adelaide College of Arts

Sun 7th March, 8pm

Fringe veteran Richard Maritzer is joined by Ryan Wells and Patrick Hercamp (the latest additions to the Sound and Fury troupe replacing Vinnie Cardinale and Shelby Bond) to take on Adelaide with their show "Spaceship Man" which parodies just about everything sci-fi in existence and offers math jokes, bad puns, alliteration, cross dressing, even Martian bunnies, to delight and titillate you as our protagonists trek across Mars in search of Colonel Quartz. 


The show starts in the lobby where the audience is greeted by Richard, Ryan and Patrick who rouse the crowd to inspire the level of enthusiasm they wanted the audience to exhibit during the show before running into the theatre.


Performing on a large stage inhibited the usually intimate nature of their shows, however, with crowd encouragement and their ability to break down the fourth wall and engage directly with the audience throughout, Sound and Fury masterfully overcame this disadvantage.

*****

The Jane Austen Argument's "The Spaces Between"

Arcade Lane - Regent One

Sun 7th March, 10pm

Described by Australian Stage as "an ultra-talented hybrid of Tori Amos and Tim Minchin", The  Jane Austen Argument are a force to be reckoned with. 


"The Spaces Between" by The Jane Austen Argument (Tom Dickins and Jen Kingwell) paints a portrait of two young artists and their relationship to the space in their lives. Emotional, physical and temporal.


Trudging through heartbreak, loneliness, love and lust, Dickins and Jen lament and celebrate what life has thrown at them in such a way that encourages and inspires others to be courageous, with a timely reminder that it is okay to take time out for yourself.


Performed on the stairs of what used to be the Regency Cinema, the low lighting created creepy shadows, and the acoustics created an all-encompassing sensory experience. Minimal props, black angel wings worn by Dickins' and Kingwell's top with attached 'heart on the sleeve' seemed to be personal talismans. Tom and Jen's voices are individually amazing and combined wrap around you, embracing you like a warm hug telling you that everything will be alright.


During their final song "The Debt Collector" they discuss the boxes they have in their respective houses containing things they don't want to read or look at that create a 'blackhole of doom' in their lives. Tom passes a box of envelopes into the audiences and invites audience members to take an envelope each, explaining that they contain a handcrafted, personalised gift. This gift is the gift of freedom, the courage to let go of what has come before and being open to what is to come next. Following Dickins' instruction, the audience tore up the envelopes and threw them into the air.


Intimate, cathartic, everything that is to love about theatrical cabaret performances. Go buy tickets now! I promise you that you won’t be disappointed.


The Jane Austen Argument's EP "The Birthing Pyre" is available now at gigs for $15 or on Bandcamp.
*****


Happy Fringing,
Ladyx Chronowire xx

Amanda Fucking Palmer Frinja gig at the Tuxedo Cat

Amanda Palmer secret 'frinja' show
Tuxedo Cat, Electra House (131 King William Street)
Fri 4th March
around midnight

At first it looked like those of us waiting outside wouldn't get in at all, due to the venue being at capacity, but then Amanda Palmer arrived in a taxi and told security to let us in (which they did after a further delay).

Tuxedo Cat's main downstairs room was PACKED with Amanda Palmer fans. Amanda Palmer was now joined by The Jane Austen Argument as she performed her set on ukulele because the piano available to her was unsuitable to play any of her songs, she was accompanied at times by Jen Kingwell of The Jane Austen Argument. She spend a lot of time talking, which was disappointing, but not nearly as disappointing as constantly having to move out of the doorway to let indecisive folk in and out of the room only for them to come back after a short while or try to push in front where they had not previously been.

I really enjoyed hearing Tom Dickins and Jen Kingwell of The Jane Austen Argument perform their own song "Bad Wine and Lemon Cake".

Highlights included meeting Amanda Palmer again (properly) and having my picture taken with her (again). She later hugged me (at my request, 'can I trouble you for a hug?'). As she walked away she caressed my face, it was a beautifully intimate moment. She also signed my chest because some random girl told her that my boobs were hiding and needed to be signed, to which Amanda asked me "why are your boobs hiding?" to which I responded "unfortunate choice of clothing". Not realising at the time, but my choice of clothing was quite apt. I had worn my 2010 Feast Festival volunteer shirt which, as part of the design, features something akin in shape to a 'Map of Tasmania'. Just before getting my picture taken, Amanda told me that she liked my 'Map of Tasmania' which was amusing.

The Jane Austen Argument are performing 'The Spaces Between' at Arcade Lane on Sun 6th Mar and Wed 9th Mar - Sun 12th Mar at 10pm. $20/$15 at the door, or through Fringetix (plus booking fees).

Happy Fringing,
Ladyx Chronowire xx