Presented by Soundbowl Productions
Reviewed 9 March 2020
Running on a similar theme to that of The Book of Mormon and Scientology: The Musical, The Hipster – A musical for people who don’t like musicals uses humour and a light-hearted storyline to engage an audience who wouldn’t normally attend a musical production, poking fun at the common “hipster” as well as characteristics of other stereotypes.
As the lights go up, the audience is introduced to young hipster Chester, dressed in his flannelette top combined with his rough but stylish facial hair, as he puts together the finishing touches on his hipster bar/microbrewery/candle-making shop called “The Brown Freckle”. Joining him in his new establishment, located in a laneway off Hindley Street, are his friends; the blonde and attractive Frankie (whoops to wear glasses to appear more hipster), tall German, Wolfgang, with his tied back top-knot and glasses wearing, sassy Seb. As they furnish the joint with wooden pallet features, chairs with no backs and an array of green succulents, Chester begins spewing a whirlwind
As the scene changes, a young woman in a short sparkly dress, high heels and a bright pink wig is seen putting on a fake accent while handing out fliers for a strip club. This is the audience’s introduction to Candy, the stripper who works next door at the confrontingly-named “Fuzzy Holes”. As Chester opposes her vocal flyer distribution, accusing her of putting people off from coming in to his bar, she points out how ridiculous it is that another hipster hospo joint has opened up and how confusing his over-priced menu is. While Chester takes a disliking to honest Candy and the strip club she works for, the kind-hearted Wolfgang falls in love, but Candy’s abusive, dead-beat boyfriend stands in the way. Chester takes his issue with the strip club to the source, coming up against “Fuzzy Holes” stern, powerful and commanding owner, Cindy. Will young hipster Chester succeed in the tough world of hipster hospitality, especially if he’s a hipster who doesn’t even like craft beer? The strip joint next door sure hopes he doesn’t…
The show plays well off of the poking fun at hipsters, from the businesses they open (Chester wants to also incorporate a gin distillery and podcast lounge in the future), to the pretentious and sometimes false personalities they put on just to appear quirky and cool (such as liking craft beer). It also utilises common Adelaide locations and novelties as well as Australian stereotypes, like Shane-o the potty-mouthed, bird-flipping bogan (played hilariously by Anthony Leppa). There is also plenty of naughty bedroom humour, like the overwhelming amount of words used to describe a butt hole.
The singing within the production is of impressive quality, especially from the two leading ladies, Jennifer Trijo (Candy) and Tamara Linke (Frankie), whose solo performances are a mixture of great vocals and emotive performances. Lead actor, Jared Frost, also provides high-quality vocals as Chester, but it would be great to see him bring a bit more energy and enthusiasm to his self-absorbed character and move away from being somewhat overwhelmingly whiny.
It may need some work in terms of storyline (the plot does seem a bit ridiculous and random at times), and possibly a reduction in time, but The Hipster- A musical for people who don’t like musicals does provide an entertaining time for Adelaidians and those who like to make fun of stereotyped characters.
Reviewed by Georgina Smerd
Rating out of 5: 3 Musical humour
Venue: Little Bang
Brewing Company, 25 Henry St, Stepney SA
5069, Australia
Season: 9 – 17 March 2020
Duration: 90 mins
Tickets: $28 – $35
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-hipster-a-musical-for-people-who-don-t-like-musicals-af2020?venue=166%3A891
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