Presented by Max Garcia-Underwood
Reviewed Friday 2nd March 2012
Recognisable Disney kicked up a notch.
The four young men that make up The Disney Project, Max Garcia-Underwood on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jackie Lonsdale on vocals and guitar, Laurence May on vocals and bass, and Chris Neale on drums and percussion, provide an enjoyable hour of Disney classics.
With a good solid start to quieten the packed back bar/dining room of the Whitmore Hotel, the tribal beat of The Lion King’s Circle of Life starts a journey through a series of the group’s favourite Disney songs. Garcia-Underwood provides the bulk of the patter through the show, giving the audience a little understanding of the song selection and coming up with some fabulous lines such as “makes you want to find a cat and lift it in the air”.
Whilst this is billed as a music show, the singers do a good job of singing to their audience, making eye contact and showing that they are enjoying the performance. This group could potentially cross over to cabaret if a little more background to their connection to the songs were provided. They do a good job of working through technical glitches, like equipment that needs to be found at the last minute, or guitars needing to be re-tuned, covering the gaps with patter and additional music from the other members of the group, ensuring that the pace and energy does not drop.
Whilst the songs are still recognisable, they have given them a tweak, often having a rock feel or, in the case of Cruella DeVille, they showcase their versatility and creativeness, trying a variety of music styles. The only improvement would be on the technical side, as some of the sound levels on microphones were not raised soon enough.
This show is a must for anyone who loves Disney.
Reviewed by Jade Kops, special guest Fringe Critic, Glam Adelaide
Adelaide Fringe – The Disney Project
Venue: Whitmore Hotel, 317 Morphett St, Adelaide
Season: 7:30pm, Fri 9 & 16 Mar 2012
Tickets: Adults $20, Concession $15
Duration: 60min
Bookings: Fringetix 1300-FRINGE (1300-374643), their outlets, or online
More News
