Presented by Harriet Allcroft
Reviewed Tuesday 11th June 2013
All good modern cabaret has a theme and it’s usually unrequited love, pain, angst, something involving Stephen Sondheim, something requiring the singing of Kander and Ebb, The Dresden Dolls and/or reminiscences of stalking a ‘latte boy’, or all of the above.
How refreshing is Harriet Allcroft’s show Retail Therapy then: the theme is shopping, from both sides of the counter! This 19 year old pocket rocket is a diminutive diva who uses what little life experience she’s had so far for her shows: firstly at this year’s Adelaide Fringe in Barely Legal (about turning the magical age of 18) and now about her sales assistant experiences at a certain (almost) unnamed big department store that we all know and love and, very likely, shop in.
Allcroft cleverly marries some interesting song choices with examples of the types of service (good, great, generous, no service, self-service and bad) and customers (out spoken, over-sharers, arguers and just plain nice). In doing so, she covers a variety of artists including Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield and (believe it or not) Doris Day.
Although starting out somewhat ‘stagey’ on opening night, once Allcroft found her footing and showed us her true, bubbly, delightful self, she was absolutely wonderful. Her anecdotes about her experiences being a ‘door bitch’ in the morning and a ‘Santa’s helper’ in the afternoon, and an a cappella carol singer with big ambitions are amusing and highly entertaining; as are her good natured jabs at her family. Her repartee with the trainee shop assistant, pianist Matthew Carey, is great and shows a strong bond of professionalism and friendship between them.
Carey may be a lousy shop assistant, but he is brilliant when it comes to tinkling the ivories and an extremely competent back-up singer.
As well as being very personable, Allcroft has an enormous singing voice that belies her small frame allowing her to tackle a variety of vocal styles well, including pop, rock, country and western, and gospel.
Allcroft and Carey give marvellous customer service and more than deliver on this unique cabaret appliance. Hurry up before there is a closing down sale.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: The Promethean 116 Grote Street, Adelaide
Season: 11 & 18 June 2013
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $20 – $25
Bookings: Book online at the Cabaret Fringe Festival website or tickets available at the door if not sold out
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