20 Something

Below is my third and final review for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. After deciding I had been rather too forgiving for the first two shows, I was all ready to head in with my claws out, and live up to the 'critical reviewer' title. But this time I genuinely enjoyed it. A lot. I giggled throughout, and the performers were great. Probably a bit strange that this disappointed me, but I was somewhat excited at the prospect of letting the inner bitch out for a run around. Anyhoosie, here is the review below. As always, enjoy.

For a show titled 20 Something, I was surprised to find myself one of the youngest in the crowd at Tony Starr’s Kitten Club. But it soon became clear that age was irrelevant, because this cheeky cabaret act left the whole audience with a smile on their face.

Following sell-out shows in both the Adelaide and Cabaret Fringe Festivals, I had high hopes for 20 Something, presented by cabaret trio The Vox Trust. And sure enough, despite a late start, all was forgiven from the moment Tamara Shinners and Rachel McCall stepped on stage. Looking the part in fishnets and sparkles, the sassy blondes charmed the crowd from the get go, documenting their history since meeting as music students at Adelaide University.

With a nod to the nineties – mixtapes, Wayne’s World and The Thong Song all scored a mention – and accompanied by accomplished pianist Jamie Cock, the pair took us on an entertaining journey through the issues that plague the lives of the 20-something: from mixed messages to naivety, Centrelink payments and the much dreaded quarter-life crisis.

The performance was decidedly tongue-in-cheek, with handmade props, self-deprecating humour and a spot of hula dancing proving they never take themselves too seriously. Yet the occasional moment of profundity, flagged by an operatic barcarolle or a wistful Joni Mitchell tune, prevents the show from drifting into asinine territory, reminding us that Shinners and McCall are professionally-trained performers with serious talent.

Throughout the 75-minute show the connection between the twosome shines through, and it’s this rapport that makes it so successful. The witty repartee flows smoothly, leaving no doubt about the authenticity of their relationship.

As a virtual neophyte to the cabaret genre, I found 20 Something to be a sharp, polished and extremely likeable show, that well and truly lived up to the hype.