Holden Street is known as “Home of Theatre” during the Adelaide Fringe. For some 23 years, the artist-run hub has been at the forefront of cutting-edge theatre. Hidden away in Hindmarsh, it’s like a secret gem in the inner west.
This reviewer saw a small selection of plays, each of which were world class, thought-provoking and most of all, entertaining.
Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World
Jamaican artist Duane Forrest gives a fascinating insight into the world and music of Bob Marley. Delving into the roots of reggae, he demonstrates how country music influenced early Jamaican music. While giving some interesting facts about Marley’s upbringing, Forrest wove through some personal anecdotes about growing up in an all-white school in Canada named after a wealthy slave trader. He still bears the scars of trying to straighten his hair to “fit in with the crowd”.
His gentle and endearing manner belies the pain he conceals, telling heart-wrenching stories of the “Buffalo Soldiers: Stolen from Africa, Brought to America, Fighting on arrival, Fighting for survival.” They were forced into serving in the army and advancing the American West, fighting against poachers and the native Americans. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and how they appeared on the battlefield, inspired the Indians to call them Buffalo Soldiers.
Despite some of the more sombre stories, overall the mood is one of celebration, joy and vitality. Even though Bob Marley died far too young at age 36, Forrest uses the analogy of seed that must die to produce more seeds. A fascinating, uplifting and heart-warming tribute to the father of reggae.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World by Duane Forrest
Season: Tuesday 17th February – Sunday 22nd March
Venue: Holden Street Theatres – The Arch
Tickets: $20-$60 available through Holden Street Theatres Box Office and FringeTIX
The Debate
Real-life mother-daughter actors, Martha Lott and Amelia Lott-Watson play a fictional mother-daughter relationship, based on the daughter’s pending nomination as the state’s head debater. The scene opens with the duo seated outside the headmaster’s office. It is clear from the get-go that the mother is ambitious and driven, qualities that she believes helped her daughter succeed in the challenging and brutal world of debating.
Whilst the daughter is in with the headmaster, the mother reveals aloud her scheming plan that she hatched to discredit the rival contender. The Debate was written by Lott, and obviously she has learned a secret or two that driven mums have revealed. It is delicious watching her mental gymnastics justifying her actions.
This is a masterclass in scriptwriting and acting and paints a perfect portrait of an imperfect woman, inspired by wanting the best for her child. In her Fringe debut, Lott-Watson played a suffering foil to her mother’s manoeuvres. A very humorous and satisfying play.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Debate: Martha Lott & Amelia Lott-Watson
Season: Friday 13th February – Sunday 22nd March
Venue: Holden Street Theatres – The Arch
Tickets: $25-$60 available through Holden Street Theatres Box Office and FringeTIX
Eat the Rich (but maybe not me mates x)
Actor Jade Franks has written a personal, funny and revealing story about growing up in Liverpool and winning a scholarship in Cambridge, with dark insight into the class culture of Britain. She is happy working at a call centre until one day she decides that a university education would help her along. With a blend of schadenfreude and ambition, she is accepted into Cambridge. It’s not all smooth sailing, as she has to take on a cleaning job to make ends meet, which is against the rules.
Franks is a natural story-teller, and once the ear attunes to the Scouse accent, her stories elicit laugh after laugh. It also helps that she is a very visual actor, creating a tableau from a few choice words and accessories. She describes her adventures with an almost detached vision, with the clarity of hindsight and distance. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, describing the attempts to fit in with the “in-crowd” in full self-deprecating humour.
Her insights reveal what we all know is an underlying part of society. The elites like to keep to themselves and create barriers to allowing outsiders to join in. But she also demonstrates, that with vision and drive, anything is possible. Franks is a lively and magnetic performer who engaged the audience and ushered them into her world. A remarkable storyteller, who I’m sure we will hear much more from in the future.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Eat the Rich (but maybe not me mates x)
Writer / Performer: Jade Franks, Directed by: Tatenda Shamiso, Producer: Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner – JFR Productions
Season: Tuesday 17th February – Sunday 22nd March
Venue: Holden Street Theatres – The Studio
Tickets: $28-$60 available through Holden Street Theatres Box Office and FringeTIX
The reviewer attended all three plays on 17th Feb
Check out the Holden Street Website for many more exceptional plays, including the intimate ‘The Soaking of Vera Shrimp‘ from Patch of Blue, Peter Goers is Senior Citizen Kane and the haunting holocaust story, The Pink List.
Header image of Duane Forrest – photo credit John Goodridge
