Presented by Amelia Ryan
Reviewed 2 March 2016
Amelia Ryan is Lady Liberty, but she is also fearless and a charismatic force with which to be reckoned. Ryan premiered to a sold-out audience in the Garden of Unearthly Delights on Wednesday.
Ryan combined her sweet yet powerful voice with her comedic skills as she performed original parodies of well-loved songs. A live band accompanied her, including drums, bass and keyboard. Opening with Don’t Stop Me Now, other highlights included Disney’s Part of Your World repurposed to promote marriage equality, and Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time reimagined as hangover ballad Wine After Wine.
Ryan’s songs and stories were all guided by her personal search to become the ethereal Lady Liberty. Her topics ranged from politics, plastic surgery, feminism, one-night stands and even included a brief on-stage game of Never Have I Ever. However, Ryan always returned to her theme of self-discovery and inner peace.
On opposite sides of the stage stood identical manikins. The left sported designer yoga clothes, sneakers and a well-read copy of Eat, Pray, Love – the right a sequined party dress, heels and empty bottle of Monet. Ryan drifted from one side to the other, depending on her anecdote. Though she spent the majority of the show centre-stage, finding a happy medium between the two extremes of her personality.
Ryan has an honest, insightful, and tongue-in-cheek style of humour that adds authenticity to her tale. She campaigns for the freedom to define your own state of liberty, whether you are lady or lad.
Reviewed by Nicola Woolford
Rating (out of 5): 4
Venue: The Factory, Garden of Unearthly Delights
Season: 2nd Mar – 13th Mar
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $28.00 – $33.00
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)
http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
http://www.gardenofunearthlydelights.com.au
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