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I Can Keep A Secret – 2012 Adelaide Fringe

Presented by Babushka
Reviewed Wednesday 29th February 2012

The small performance space at the end of the long red room of the Dragonfly Bar is set with a plush red velvet chaise lounge, a stool and a keyboard. Luckily, the quartet, dressed in cocktail dresses and comprising Laura Coutts (in green), Michelle Bull (yellow), Alicia Cush (red) and Bethan Ellsmore (blue), aren’t confined to this area for the duration of the show. As the ladies enter, they utilise the area between the audience and the bar as Ellsmore, on violin, is joined by Matthew Samer on keys in the performance area.

Their first number lets the audience know that these four have opera training. As they move through the show, utilising the length of the bar, gathering in the performance space and moving into the audience at different points, secrets are gradually shared and supported by a range of pop, musical theatre and operatic pieces, some sung as solos with the remaining ensemble providing backing sounds, and others as a full quartet.

As each Diva, as the four refer to themselves in their biographic details, tells one of her stories, ranging from little lies to big secrets, it is evident that there is a range of experience with respect to cabaret. Some manage to pace the patter well with good, clear speaking voices and others have a less structured approach to the story, telling which could possibly be tightened to get a better comic timing and ensure the pace of the show is maintained. For some, it is a solo approach to the stories and, for others, the rest of the ensemble assists.

The ladies understand the lyrics and have fun with the songs. For the songs in other languages, their acting ability is utilised to convey the message. They generally manage good eye contact across the room, ensuring that, if they are positioned at the bar, they look to both the front and the back of the room, only slipping back into their operatic, sing to the balcony training on a few occasions.

Whilst I was positioned near the performance space at the front of the room and the bar, it was sometimes hard to hear the singer if they were positioned at the far end of the bar as the performance was done without amplification, so I wonder if the back of the room heard all of the dialogue when the ladies were at the front of the room. Some dialogue and lyrics were lost and, at times, the balance on the keys needed to be bought down so as to not drown out the singing.

There is some fun use of props and it is clear that the four are telling their own story as they explain how the group was formed. The stories of the Queensland Conservatorium, where the four studied and got together, were met with lots of laughter, and I think it was from more than just music students in the audience.

This is a lovely night out for anyone, as the range in music styles and the arrangements are sure to appeal, and the premise that everyone has a secret is universal.

Reviewed by Jade Kops, special guest Fringe Critic, Glam Adelaide

Adelaide Fringe – I Can Keep A Secret

Venue: Dragonfly Bar and Dining, 193 Victoria Square, Adelaide
Season: Concluded
Duration: 60 min

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