FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Sophie’s Slumber Party | 4 Stars

Review | Laura Money

Are you ready for the hottest millennial party since Y2K? Sophie’s Slumber Party is where it’s at this FRINGEWORLD 2023! Sophie Joske is here to take you back to the era of butterfly clips, the Super S (if you know, you know) and body glitter – that’s right: it’s an early 2000s sleepover, baby! Joske is a character performer so usually doesn’t get to cut loose but this is her party, my friends and she’s about to have the time of her life. Inviting a variety of her closest FRINGEWORLD 2023 acts to join her, Sophie creates the ultimate cabaret night complete with burlesuqe, stand-up comedy, and singing.

Beginning the show in a self-induced funk, wallowing in self pity to Snow Patrol or something similar, Sophie gets herself up, rummages in her bumbag and puts on her war-paint – full body glitter. Sophie does nostalgia well. It’s subtle, like the font used in her powerpoint presentation, yet everything is perfectly themed. Her games reference things we stopped thinking about years ago – the Hilton sisters, anyone? – and her entire aesthetic makes this millennial feel so seen. The night I attended featured Veruca Sour dancing to Mean Girls The Musical. Dressed as Regina George in her Playboy Bunny outfit she slays all night long! Next is comedian Nicola Macri whose intimate film knowledge of early 2000s Hilary Duff is impressive. The fabulous Moxie Hart gets the blood pumping with a rendition of Sk8ter Boi that will make you feel like you’re in high school again and Drag King extraordinare Justin Sider is the obligatory hot boy. Sider has perfected the art of cheesy male performer, charming the ladies.

Literally everybody will be talking about Sophie’s Slumber Party and unlike the parties of your childhood this one’s a haven of inclusivity. Go and be cool by reliving your daggy youth – you’ll find you’re certainly not alone!

You can go hang with Sophie in the Perth Cultural Centre until 28th January 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Jamie Mykaela: FLOOZY | 4.5 Stars

Review | Laura Money

Self-confessed FLOOZY, Jamie Mykaela is not back in Perth to make friends – she’s back to annihilate the ones who abandoned her when she broke up with Perth. In her one woman cabaret showcase, Jamie is open and raw – ripping her heart still beating from her chest and throwing it on the ground for us to worship. Too much? Jamie’s been called too much. She likes it. Resplendent in a mid-century hooker-red (sex-worker-red!) dress and beehive scraping the ceiling, Jamie is cool. Like, really cool. She strums her electric guitar with casual charm, so effortlessly awesome – the only thing missing is the cigarette hanging from her mouth. The songs match the stories although not all were written for it. From blistering feminist anthems to witheringly morose pity parties each piece is sung with a slight rasp and a knowing smile – like Wanda Jackson if she turned into a pint-sized, foul-mouthed feminist from Perth.

FLOOZY is a 60s style love letter to the emotions of leaving home, not quite fitting into a new place but damn well trying. Through stunning original songs, Jamie tells us her family history, her experiences moving to Oxford (yes that Oxford) and how some relationships are worth mourning, while others clearly aren’t. Jamie’s original songs are heartfelt and heartbreaking with a soulful 60s vibe somewhere between Nancy Sinatra and Brenda Lee. Her stunning vocals are rendered poignant as she bares her soul and recalls her life and how she got to be performing for you today. This unique and beautiful cabaret show is not to be missed. Jamie has learned to love her own company, and you’ll love it too!

You can catch this scorching songstress at the State Theatre WA until 28th January 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

SUMMER NIGHTS 2023 | 600 Seconds | HIIT | 4 Stars

Review | Laura Money

HIIT or High Intensity Interval Theatre is a fully immersive night of fast-paced theatre that will keep you in the edge of your seat. Each artist had 10 minutes to present their story – just 600 seconds. The result? Five emotionally distilled works that give us a glimpse into the lives of the writers.

There’s Hero by Simeon Neo which sees Will (David Vickman) unable to leave his parent’s home after 10 years of video gaming. Vickman puts the right amount of heart into the role, even if he’s only onstage for a small amount of time. Bolstered by Ramiah Alcantara who plays one of his game characters turned imaginary friend he attempts to get out of his funk only to be brought down again. My only criticism is that female characters only exist to serve Will – Alcantara is literally his cheerleader and it is the ex-girlfriend’s second rejection that spirals him down again. Will was literally only going to go out because he felt entitled to her – when she was no longer available he was no longer interested.

Hadal Zone by Sophie Minissale is a darkly hilarious monologue performed by Daniela Da Costa about the dangers of the unknown parts of the ocean. It’s funny and thought-provoking and played with just the right amount of paranoia to stop it sounding like a presentation. Minissale’s writing is strong, and you can see where her mind wanders, only to come crashing back to shore like a wave. Next is CRUSH by Benjamin Quirk – a charming one man piece about crushing really hard on a guy only to find out he’s straight. Quirk’s exuberance is infectious, he brings a fun camp energy to the piece that becomes melodramatic – we literally see Quirk’s emotions on show.

(the entire happy birthday song at half speed) is written and performed by Laura Liu and is the story of her grandparents meeting. Framed around looking at old pictures, Liu’s style is fresh and ancient at once. Her constant refrain – that a character would die just however many weeks/months later hearkens to the best narrators. It has a similar tone to MAUS – warts and all – and is not to be missed. Finally there is Call Me Mother by Scarlet Rose. It’s a funny yet heartbreaking exploration of birth trauma and identity. The stage is filled with washing and the detritus of life with a baby that has become integrated into the story – where does Scarlet’s identity split from that of her baby? Is it her queerness? It can’t be. Is it how her body works? Is it all of those things? You’ll have to see it to find out.

You can catch HIIT at The Blue Room Theatre as part of Summer Nights until 28th January 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to in 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge | 3 Stars

Review | Laura Money

The charming book by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas gets the operatic treatment in this lovely adaptation by Emma Jayakumar. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge tells the story of young Wilfrid, a boy who lives next door to an Old Folk’s Home. Through his many visits he befriends them all and the relationships that bloom are beautifully depicted through the gorgeous music composed by Jayakumar. Each character has a theme – Wilfrid (played alternately by Dante Pendergrast and Narayan Jayakumar) is a bit cheeky with lots of jaunty strings, Brett Peart lends his baritone to several fun-loving seniors and Wilfrid’s Dad, and Caitlin Cassidy plays some funny women including Nancy – Wilfrid’s favourite person in the whole world. Jayakumar is a great composer, and also performs herself – constantly losing her glasses.

Wilfrid’s story is so touching – he tries to discover what a memory is so that he may return it to Nancy who has supposedly lost it. Jayakumar’s score hits every heartstring as Nancy recovers every item Wilfrid brings her – and the memories they spark. Peart and Cassidy are earnest and soul-baring as their various characters. The show begins with a preparatory talk by Emma Jayakumar which I fell is not necessary as children are pretty savvy – they understand the idea behind a musical theme without the need for over-explanation and the work really does speak for itself. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is an enduring story that will continue to touch your heart long after you’ve left the theatre.

You can meet all the old folks with Wilfrid at the State Theatre Centre WA until 28th January 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

FRINGEWORLD 2023 | An Utterly Rubbish Adventure | 4.5 Stars

Review | Laura Money

Funny man James Hancox, or Mr Jim when he’s entertaining children is off on an adventure – An Utterly Rubbish Adventure! After accidentally falling into a bin, Mr Jim finds himself in Rubbish Land among the bin juices and discarded stuff. He spends the rest of the journey meeting a host of characters while attempting to go home (back UP THERE.) Hancox is so personable, he gets all the kids onside before his descent into the bin so they feel invested in the journey – exuberantly shouting out helpful advice and clambering to get up on stage. Tackling multiple characters each with their own signature song, Hancox breathes life into milk bottles, yoghurt pots, and the flatulent Bin King. He creates a rich array of characters, giving them all charming or quirky personalities. The jokes are sharp and clever – from trekking through the Amazon (packaging) to Brenda the yoghurt pot who wants to grow cress from her head – and pitched at the right level for kids and adults alike to laugh. Even the silly bits about gasses escaping have the adults laughing at the kid’s reactions!

An Utterly Rubbish Adventure is an utterly brilliant show. It uses everyday items as puppets and play, creating a positive solution for the rubbish crisis. The gentle message of reusing and recycling manifests in a groovy song by the Inventor and the touching ending will make you want to do your trash better. This show has it all – music, mayhem, puppets, and fun!

You can catch Mr Jim and his Utterly Rubbish Adventure at the State Theatre Centre WA until 28th January 2023. TICKETS

Keep up with The Fourth Wall on Facebook and @fourth_wall_media on Instagram to see what we’re up to this FRINGEWORD 2023.

The Fourth Wall acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land we engage in storytelling on – the Wadjhuk people of the Noongar nation. We pay respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.