Presented by Tracy Crisp in partnership with SA Playwrights Theatre
Reviewed 18 February 2020
This fabulous show by Adelaide actor, writer and now also funeral celebrant, Tracy Crisp is the final piece in her trilogy of almost true, memoir performances. It maintains the high standard of writing and production seen in Pearls 2018 and Forgettory last year. Both these previous shows were virtually sold out and this one deserves to be just as popular with four shows already sold out.
What is so telling about the stories we hear is that we can identify with them – with the possible exception of the Head Librarian’s sad demise. As someone who loves books and reading I delighted in her description of settling down next to the old electric heater and scorching her synthetic dressing gown while her mother read to her.
I’m sure audience members related to her story about the days before Google too – when one could borrow a library book for a recipe, make the dish and not be cyber stalked by recommendations for similar products. The writing also made very clever use of well known book titles in telling the stories.
I especially liked the subtle but yet cutting satire of Crisp’s discussions of the inclusive political party she was going to found. All views would be represented – even Santa could be ranked with climate change deniers because as they didn’t believe in Santa but were prepared to pretend to for the kids, then they could do the same with climate change couldn’t they?
I also enjoyed Crisp poking fun at the job interview process which included fatuous questions such as: what was her niche; or what got her out of bed in the morning? I’m sure we’ve all really wanted to reply, as her character does, the cat throwing up in the bathroom but we were never brave enough.
Although it was, of course, a monologue I felt as though the performance was really a dialogue with the audience where individuals could relate to these, in many ways, unspectatular life events and respond to the speaker, sometimes silently and at other times with hearty laughter.
Do book soon and enjoy a funny yet poignant production, brilliantly performed.
Reviewed by Jan Kershaw
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: The Studio at the Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide
Season: Wed 19 Feb – Sat 22 Feb and Mon 24 Feb – Sat
29 Feb at 7:30pm
Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $28 Conc $23
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/an-evening-with-the-vegetarian-librarian-af2020
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