Amelia Ryan is the small-town-born, multi-talented cabaret act that you really must check out this Fringe season. Iâd tell you the name of the town she hails from, as it really is giggle-inducing, but that would spoil one of her many punch-lines. Itâs best left to her, as she truly does dazzle as she does her thing on stage.
And what is Ryanâs thing? Itâs a spectacularly creative show in which she candidly and generously takes her audience through several stages of her hilarious life.
Early on, Ryan provides a clear, humour-laced warning that she will be sharing significant events from her life, chiefly through bursting out into song. These well-timed tunes comprise her original, wry and whip-smart lyrics, accompanied by talented Dave McEvoy on the piano. Several are sung to tunes of well-known classics, such as 4 Non Blondesâ âWhatâs Going On?â and âCell Block Tangoâ from the musical Chicago.
Many audience members will relate to Ryanâs delightful anecdotes. Running late, missing flights, revolting against parking fines â she shares it all in her six (or are they seven?) inch heels and hot-pink number. She has an energetic stage presence, which seems contagious. The crowd loves her.
Likening life to a series of catastrophes and calamities, and owning the fact that hers really is a mess, Ryanâs show is, in contrast, well-structured and beautifully paced. Even when her admissions dip into a much more sombre mood towards the end, it is very fitting. It is then perfectly wrapped up with her wit and I was left wanting more of her fantastic voice and downright hilarious tales.
You might like
Itâs not surprising that Ryan has taken this performance to New York. Itâs show tunes meets Sex and the City meets a very grown-up version of Glee. With lots of swearing. And itâs oh so fabulous.
A Storm in a D Cup is being performed in the Campanile, Garden of Unearthly Delights, until March 2.
Adelaide Fringe hub
Click here for all InDailyâs 2014 Adelaide Fringe stories and reviews.
Â
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
Free to share
This article may be shared online or in print under a Creative Commons licence