Presented by Carla Conlin
Reviewed 4 June 2014
This review could be called Carla Conlin’s Cabaret Captivatingly Charming. As one can see, this reviewer likes his alliteration. He also likes a good cabaret show: Conlin’s Where’s My Pony?! (And Other Stories of Betrayal) isn’t one to like – it’s one to adore!
This sold out Adelaide Fringe 2014 show examines how people, especially females, are betrayed, lied to and given a false sense of security as a child; and it doesn’t really improve the older one gets.
Sounds a little bleak, doesn’t it? Not the way Ms Conlin handles the situation. She makes us laugh at her childhood disappointment of not getting the pony she was promised by her parents: her credit card debt; the acceptance and shock of modern accommodation costs in Adelaide (via cleverly rewritten lyrics to Seasons Of Love from the musical Rent); and her realisation that Disney princesses aren’t real with a hilariously wicked medley of well-known Disney songs.
Pocahontas and the Little Mermaid will never be the same again (certainly not having to deal with the White Man’s diseases, fishing trawlers and oil spills).
There is much to laugh about life and Conlin takes us down just about every undiscovered path with her delightfully skew-whiff sense of humour and sparkling comedy. Only this lovely lady could write a song about not being able to write a song, and letting the audience in on her unspoken (but not unsung) love for her pianist, that musical director of musical directors, Matthew Carey.
Conlin shows her more serious side as well, particularly with a beautifully moving rendition of Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin.
About three or four years ago this reviewer participated in the same 8 week acting Mastercass as Ms Conlin. I saw then what a talented actress she was but had no idea that she was hiding a powerful wide-ranging singing voice. This gorgeous gal is the whole package!
Warning: this performance was for one night only, so be on the lookout for more Conlin cabaret wherever it may be.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Twitter: @briangods
Venue: The Promethean 116 Grote Street, Adelaide
Season: 4 June 2014
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $22.00 – $28.00
Bookings: Book through the Cabaret Fringe Festival online or tickets at the door if not sold out.
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