Head to Twitter, follow @SometimesMelb and search for #mFringe to get involved in the discussions, get the word on the unmissable shows, tell reviewers how wrong they are, and decide who you want to meet at the Fringe Club.
But I'm still old-school at heart, so will post some mini reviews (that might be my tweets and a bit).
The City They Burned
Attic Erratic
6 September 2014
Cavern Table Performance Space
to 23 September – but check the Fringe site because this might change
Helium
The YouTube Comment Orchestra
The Last Tuesday Society
18 September 2014
Tower Theatre, Coopers Malthouse
to 27 September
Big LOLs. Just like the internet only smarter and with more butter.
The Last Tuesday mob on a Thursday was enough to blow my mind. And they get to do it all again. So you can see them twice or freak them out by going every night and sitting in the front row.
Bron Batten and Richard Higgins are the founders of the society. They choose a theme and give it to some of the best alternative cabaret/comedy/performance artists around. I still haven't quite recovered from the "Don's Party" night and I never want another December without a Last Tuesday Xmas party.
Everything at The YouTube Comment Orchestra is based on YouTube comments. It's bloody wonderful and justifies the many hours that we spend on YouTube.
Being a part of Helium, I wondered if we'd see something wildly different but I can't complain because I laughed myself a bit sick.
Media Release
19 September 2014
Fringe Hub, Court House Hotel 2
to 26 September
It's hard not to enjoy a show that's made with love and passion. This one has some terrific jokes (I will always laugh at latte foam art) and it's a great idea for a story, but the writing isn't working as a story and it's is more a showcase for the performers.
I had to miss the last scene because it was running overtime and late. If the guide say 50 mins, don't be upset if people have to leave to get to their next show.
You Took The Stars
19 September 2014
Fringe Hub, start outside North Melbourne Town Hall
to 26 September
This one also ran a bit late, but I was so happy to be in the space and sharing the story.
The dank and miserable lane way next to the North Melbourne Town Hall is transformed as designer, Yvette Turnbull, and director, Alice Darling, create a welcoming and gorgeous space that makes the world for this play feel so perfect that it's hard to imagine it being anywhere else.
Cat Commander's writing is equally as gorgeous. With a pegasus called Mona, pink dolphins and the stars inside apples, she lets us fall in love with her Maisie and Paul – and a guitar-playing monkey – as they fall in love and try to find out what that means.
And it all comes together with totally engaging and beautiful performances by John Shearman and Kasia Kaczmarek – and Matt Furlani's guitar-playing monkey.
This only has a short run and there aren't many seats, so it's one to book.
And here's an interview with writer Cat Commander from the super-wonderful School for Birds blog. It's great. Read it for the discussion about re-drafting and re-drafting, about how the actors made it real for themselves, and about why we keep performing American plays.
PS. You Took the Stars owes You Turn Away, And Never Once Turn Your Head a drink for waiting for me.
Some of these are on AussieTheatre.com.
PS. You Took the Stars owes You Turn Away, And Never Once Turn Your Head a drink for waiting for me.
Some of these are on AussieTheatre.com.
