The 27 Club:
Thursday 6th March 2025 (Rymill Park, The Fantail).
Presented By: Amplified House.
The dreaded age of 27 in rock’n’roll. This show revitalises the legendary acts that synonymously passed away at the same age. Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse and Jim Morrison are effortlessly re-imagined through their music and a unique storytelling narrative.
The show includes band members from bands that many of us may have grown up with, Kevin Mitchell (Bob Evans, Jebadiah), Sarah McLeod (The Superjesus) Carla Lippis (Mondo Psycho) and Dusty Lee Stephensen. At a performance level McLeod the ultimate performer, has lost none of her zest for rock’n’roll, high level energy, and an angst. Lippis’ singing at another level with her renditions of Joplin and Winehouse. The star of the night must be Mitchell whose onstage energy and charisma was there for all to see.
This is a show that exudes energy and revitalises our love of rock’n’roll. This is one for the ages, young and old. Regrettably in its last run at the Fringe after being a staple over the last few years, one would hope that Amplified House productions give us a taste of music and art in the coming years. If you have the chance this is a must see, a group of rockers love letter to rock’n’roll.
4.5 Stars
Nan, Me & Barbara Pavi:
Saturday 8th March 2025 (Adelaide College of the Arts).
Presented by: Joanne Hartstone Presents in association with Plotnek Productions.
This may have been a one person show but there were many personalities within that dynamic. Multiple personalities within the realms of the actress Hannah Maxwell and her character. This is not just a show, it is a social message, the underlying themes included, grief and care, and the overwhelming responsibility that comes with that role; it is heartfelt and pulls at the heart strings when the audience comes to that realisation. It is through addiction, alcohol and drugs, recovery and hope, that this award-winning international performance is recognised for what it is, a social message, with an infliction of obsessive stalking of the real-life French singer, Barbara Pavi.
There is a rapid pace to the start of the show in which we get to meet the only 2 people in Luton watching the Eurovision song contest, Nan and her granddaughter (Maxwell). It is at this moment we realise the daily burden Maxwell takes on, along with the moment she becomes intoxicated with Pavi, surrealistically but physically through drugs and alcohol.
For me, the moment of the show was the performance of Barbara Pavi’s, “Voila”, it was performed at a level that would move an audience. To be honest, it was certainly unexpected, to hear such an amazing voice, considering the previous 60 minutes of immersive theatre, crowd interaction, dancing in ballrooms, intoxicating wits of humour, and a strong empathetic performance by Maxwell’s on-stage presence. I didn’t expect the angelic voice that was produced.
Maxwell’s infatuation with Eurovision contestant Barbara Pavi, allows for a combination of stand up, musical performance, and the spoken word, often in French. This surreal infatuation is a coping mechanism for Maxwell, as the daily burden of life becomes overwhelming.
Overall, this was a performance on so many levels that everyone within the audience could relate to, there is humour, empathy, and above all, a superb one-person performance that should be applauded.
4 Stars
