Presented by Popjam Productions
Reviewed 16 February 2018
Although many people associate Amity Dry with her appearance on reality TV show The Block, her talents were evident to many long before that. A writer, composer, singer, actor, she has had a top 10 album and a critically acclaimed musical Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life, which has played over 100 shows throughout Australia as well as seasons in New York, Norway and London.
Dry has also had many hit cabaret shows including So You Want To Be Famous (Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival), Tapestry – A Tribute to Carole King (Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival), The Block to Broadway (Adelaide Cabaret Festival) and the inaugural season of 39 Forever which had a 13 show sell out in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe Festival, receiving 5 star reviews.
So, it was with the greatest expectations, a girlfriend and a glass of bubbly that I joined the opening night crowd and I wasn’t disappointed. This show has everything. The predominantly female audience were transported back in time to a simpler life of hairbrush singing and Sub-Zero drinks before clubbing it in too few clothes and too high heels. Complete with powerful renditions of songs from the 80s and 90s, with hysterical lyric changes, there is much humour and an honest account of the emotional toll that moving into your 30s and 40s in an image obsessed world takes on a woman. Dry also presents some of her own songs, showcasing her skill as a composer. Her vulnerability is evident as she talks of the conflicting emotions of moving onto the next stage of her life, particularly poignant in the light of her recent marriage breakdown, and the reality of her 7-year-old daughter being self-critical of her appearance at an age where her focus should be on scuffing shoes and knees in her eagerness to explore this wonderful world of ours.
Accompanied by Jamie Burgess who’s supporting vocals, casual banter with Dry and outstanding keyboard skills round off a professional and heart-warming performance, this is a must see show for all women of a certain age and any men not afraid to gain a better understanding of the female psyche in the most entertaining way.
Reviewed by Trish Francis
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: The Octagon at Gluttony
Season: February 16th – March 11th
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $35/$30
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/39-forever-starring-amity-dry-af2018
https://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
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