The performance space is wonderful; St Stephen’s Anglican Church is light and spacious.  The performance is of a high standard and the acoustics of the church only enhances the experience. In particular, the two flugelhorns accompanying soprano is a lovely moment. Overall, the two soloists do a fine job, though Dora has a bit of a cold and Fraser faces challenges of her own (namely, Elvish).

Jordan’s enthusiastic reading of the synopsis provides a theatrical flair, but their incomplete overview of the text probably might not make a lot of sense to people who aren’t familiar with Tolkein’s work. This isn’t a problem though; in general, the songs do not require contextualisation.

The style of music is a bit old-fashioned and may have a limited appeal; perhaps among those who have a particular interest in Tolkein’s works or Donald Swann. Though One Show to Rule them All is an unusual addition to the Melbourne Fringe Festival Program it is an unpretentious, enthusiastic and certainly unique one. And there is a delicious supper provided afterward; hopefully this will catch on.

“One Show To Rule Them All” from 1st-3rd October, 8pm (3pm Sunday) at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 306 Church Street, Richmond.  Tickets $23, $18. 9660 9600

This show is an opportunity for fans of The Lord of the Rings to get lost in the music. Jordan has been a fan of Tolkien’s work since reading the books in the 60s. He was mesmerised by the creative tales in a world of their own, inspired by ancient Norse culture and language. Jordan had the chance of meeting Tolkien himself and since then it has been a goal of his to honour the great writer through a creative venture.

Jordan is a talented and accomplished trombonist, he has played in array of bands and orchestras and can be found from time to time busking in the city with the Mel’Bones Trombone Quartet. The Mel’Bones performed beautifully at the launch of the Fringe Festival for 2015, and the same spectacular performance can be expected in One Show to Rule Them All. Jordan is very excited to share his passion with an audience, and hopes others will feel the same.

“One Show To Rule Them All” will be performed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of October at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 306 Church Street, Richmond at 8pm Friday and Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. To book tickets visit melbournefringe.com.au.

You can also visit Jordan’s website at www.donjordanmusic.com.

The dynamic between the two women is what really brings the play to life. Jessica McKerlie’s performance of Jo is not only humorous, but also extremely raw. Her ability to flow through different states of minds, from calm to utter panic, gives truth to the play that is bold and daring. Petra Elliott’s performance is diversely entertaining as she plays out two characters; Sam and seventh century who has the mind of a teenage girl and loves teen comedies such as The Princess Diaries and Mean Girls. Her outspoken and confident performance works well, playing off McKerlie’s character to create a comedy that covers a very serious issue with sensitivity.

The debut play written by Isobel Marmion, People Piss in Here is compelling and eccentric, engaging the audience through its well thought out characters and meaningful subtext. There is one point where the saint, through Sam, informs Jo of the upcoming judgement day, which that sends Jo into a frenzy as she worries about going to hell. This reflects upon how anxiety can be so extreme as to make the sufferer think that the world is ending, but is subtle enough to ensure the play moves forward.

The set contains only three chairs with toilet seats on it, but the actors use the space cleverly, using their bodies and their restricted movement to suggest stalls and sinks, and also that they are trapped in the bathroom and unable to get out.

Ultimately, People Piss in Here is about the many misconceptions that people have about mental illness; Marmion’s use of poetic dialogue reflects upon this issue, and helps the audience gain a better understanding of the suffering that Jo, Sam and all those who struggle with mental illness, endure.

Candid and sincere, People Piss in Here is a surprising, yet gratifying production that is both informative and compassionate in its depiction of mental illness.

People Piss in Here runs from the 30th of September to the 4th of October at The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Pl, Melbourne. Book tickets at melbournefringe.com.au or call (03) 9660 9666.

In their debut run for Melbourne Fringe, there’s no sense that the nascent improv troupe are struggling to find their feet. Taking the play’s title from an audience suggestion, and accompanied by the highly attentive Caleb Garfinkle on mandolin, the seven-strong ensemble swiftly and confidently set about spinning a tale in three acts – one that the bard himself might have spun.

In Tuesday evening’s performance, titled ‘Behead them’, the audience witnessed a Shakespearean tragedy worthy of the VCE booklist. Lord Ikea of Sweden plotted the overthrow of the tyrannical King of Denmark – himself with a proclivity for severing the head from the spine – to replenish the people’s dwindling reserves of furniture. Love, murder, revenge, talking crows: age-old themes shone through the narrative but were handled with an irreverence that was delightful.

The performance was laugh-out-loud funny, but the audience’s admiration ran deeper. The ensemble has at their disposal an accessibility and a richness of language that is rare: performer and troupe co-founder Adam Hembree’s opening soliloquy –complete with rhyme, it certainly could have been a Shakespearean sonnet – elicited as many gasps as it did laughs.

Even the ensemble’s loyalty to structure was impressive. Director Andrew Strano balances the creative whims of the performers with an adherence to traditional structure, creating a highly accessible piece of theatre.

Even for a non-Shakespeare loyal, Soothplayers is something to behold. Thou must see it at Fringe. Or on thy head be it.

Soothplayers will be at the Improv Conspiracy – Theatre from 26 Sep – 3 Oct, 6.30pm. Tickets $17-$20. For more information or to book tickets visit www.melbournefringe.com.au or call (03) 9660 9600.

Two doors down from the Arts House in North Mellbourne, Sokol Melbourne is decked out in the kitsch usually reserved to the local op-shop: plastic flamingos, inflatable palm trees and AstroTurf, and the sound of 80s pop flows out into the street. Clothed in vibrant colours like dolls, Spiker and French sit in a room with a chandelier made of high heels at its centre, and are look nervously at the audience as they stream in. From then on, they take each other on, quite literally as if it were a boxing match, gradually descending into insanity as they grapple with the issues that dominate the lives of modern woman.

With backgrounds in music and modelling, Spiker and French are no strangers to the stage, their acting and their competitive dynamic is constantly enthralling. Their zestful rhythm accelerates until its absurdity and their humour becomes contagious, as it permeates the space. Taking on several identities throughout the show, including expecting mothers, passive-aggressive friends and exaggerated versions of themselves, they are both subtle in their expressions, yet clear in what they are trying to say.

This is not the most significant and subversive work of feminist art, but it never intends to be. It rarely takes itself very seriously, and instead is an easily accessible and endlessly fun look at modern life. However, its fast pace and hysterical nature means Hersteria and neither Spiker nor French overstay their welcome as they literally put their bodies on the line for comedy and for their beliefs.

Hersteria is on at Sokol Melbourne, 497 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne until 2 October at 8:30pm. For more information or to book tickets, please visit the Melbourne Fringe website or call the ticketing team on 9660 9666.

Missy opens the show sitting at a desk with a mug and a stack of printed out reading material, a reference to her introduction to coffee as a study aid. The show then goes on to explore aspects of Missy’s relationship with coffee through aerial acts, pole dance, dance and monologue.

A routine on silks is the backbone of the show, being well choreographed and featuring Missy’s most impressive tricks. It is strong, elegant and seductive, allowing Missy’s burlesque background to shine through. Acts on aerial hoop and pole have a similar tone and are performed

While Missy’s performance as a circus artist is engaging, her performance as a character is not strong enough to draw the audience in. The show feels in need of more charisma, energy and emotional honesty. There are a couple of short skits that attempt to provide this, but don’t quite hit the mark. At one point Missy performs a short monologue about her coffee preferences, but this doesn’t include any interesting observations and her delivery is dominated by nerves as she shifts awkwardly from foot to foot. The show would perhaps benefit from more floor-based circus skills, such as hula hoops and manipulation. These allow for personal expression and would enable a stronger connection with the audience.

The coffee theme is not as well executed as it could be. Incorporating a mug into some of the acts is slightly interesting, but loses its impact very quickly. Ideas of love, emotional loss, routine and reliance on caffeine are only considered at a very basic level and conveyed using literal movement, such as a repetitive dance sequence illustrating the daily coffee purchase. Some social commentary about coffee culture would add more interest to the show.

Aside from all these issues, this is a cohesive, well-paced performance with some beautiful moments. It features enjoyable music choices including jazz and classical.

As her first solo performance, Love Loss and Lattes is a commendable effort by Missy. But although her aerial acts are solid they are not able to drive the entire show in the absence of strong characterisation.

Love, Loss and Lattes is on at Gasworks, 21 Graham St, Albert Park from 29 September – 3 October at 9:45pm, with a matinee on 3 October at 4pm. For more information or to book tickets, please visit https://www.melbournefringe.com.au or call the ticketing team on 9660 9666.

Taken from his own personal experiences and through interviews with other sufferers, the story is confronting, but King convinces the audience that it needs to be said. There are certain moments that touch the audience, such as when he re-enacts singing, “Feeling Good” alone at home. This particular moment made me feel, not only empathetic, but connected, as I was able to look back at my own similar experiences. He uses metaphor well, giving a very poetic insight into the expression of depression, and adding to the dramatic tone of the show.

King’s performance is engaging and raw, flowing through the various scenes with ease. Dressed in only a shirt and bike shorts, King exposes his feelings and emotions to the audience. His truthful reenactments of the past are vivid, drawing the audience in rather than pushing them away. His use of an arm puppet as one his inner monologues is charming and helps engage the audience through humour, making the play more endearing. Following along an audio track of both music and inner monologues that narrates the play, moving it forward, King never misses a beat and seems completely at home on the stage.

The set design is efficiently used, and adds to the tone of the play. There is a streetlight that shines blue and has a picture of a sad face hanging off it, and a step ladder that King uses to draw attention to his character’s suicidal thoughts. Props are used simply and efficiently to convey the scene, such as a cigarette, a suicide letter, and a wig and glasses for the puppet to wear when portraying King’s Tinder dates. And music adds to the charming nature of the play, mostly being swing or jazz, which are played during King’s monologues.

i’m not alright is an authentic experience that will connect with audience members on a personal level.

i’m not alright runs through the 1st-4th of October at 9:45pm at Tuxedo Cat – The Atrium, 293 – 299 La Trobe Street, Melbourne. Book tickets at melbournefringe.com.au or call (03) 9660 9666.

Part mockumentary, part improv comedy and part insightful theatre, three men and three women take suggestions from the audience and turn it into a zany mockumentary. For instance, they asked the audience to choose a topic; sport, history, science. After choosing science, an audience member was allowed to choose a scientific phenomenon that they would wish to defy and suggest where this scientific discovery occurred. From this, a BBC-style film about the discovery of orangutans with the ability of flight in Borneo was produced right before our eyes.

The cast rotates each night, but features such talents as Jason Geary, Amanda Buckley,  Candice D’Arcy and Mark Gambino. Watching them interact and work out which direction they each want to take the story in makes for a exciting experience. Each actor jumps into their individual character before it is fully developed so it is especially interesting to see these actors develop these characters on-the-spot, rather than being already aware of their character’s background, as they interrupt each other to give more and more backstory.

To make the story easier to follow, each character is a stereotype or an archetype of a classic story, whether it be the bumbling undercover KGB agent, the uptight scientist or the gruff American hunter. But while the story and the characters remain simple, certain twists, sub-plots and red herrings are thrown into the mix to muddy the waters of what would appear to be a simple absurd farce.

As is inevitable when the story is made up spontaneously, not every character is fully fleshed out and several plot lines are left hanging. Regardless, True Fiction is a consistently charming and humorous improvised play which showcases considerable talent and finds great truth in its fiction.

True Fiction is on at The Improv Conspiracy, Level 1, 19 Meyers Place, Melbourne from 26 September – 3 October at 7:45pm. For more information or to book tickets, please visit the Melbourne Fringe website or call the ticketing team on 9660 9666.

Rose (No Regerts: The 2015 Law Revue), a 21-year-old law student and Shafar (3 Little Gigs, Footy Couch), a 24-year-old ex- law student traverse their experiences in separate stand-up sets. Shafar focuses on his Jewish heritage and the ridiculousness of the concept of religion as a whole, while placing himself on the level of the audience to welcome them into his world. Conversely, Rose begins by accepting the audience’s criticisms of him and running with it, while also discussing some of the social issues that currently effect daily life.

It is evident from the get-go that Rose and Shafar are good friends, and rather than presenting separate sets, they are constantly interacting with each other even when one of them is offstage. They have complementary styles, but they cover a wide array of topics, most of them being ordinary stories elevated to the point of ridiculousness by their different delivery styles.

Shafar has an obvious gift for comic timing, while Rose’s personality is a lot more off-the-cuff. For instance, Shafar begins with a joke about going to the United States and being unable to buy a zucchini because the guy at the checkout didn’t know what a zucchini was. Rose, on the other hand, opens by asking the audience to guess how much he weighs and making his thin figure the brunt of the joke.

Like most young comedians, remnants of other famous comics are evident in Rose and Shafar’s speech. But, Rose and Shafar demonstrate that they have the natural talent to develop their jokes, and will continue to inspect the changing face of society.

Michael Shafar and David Rose begin to write their name on the wall of Australian comedy with Outsiders, a mixture of comic brilliance, vivid storytelling and sardonic social commentary.

Outsiders is on at The Improv Conspiracy, Level 1, 19 Meyers Place, Melbourne from 26 September – 3 October at 6:45pm. For more information or to book tickets, please visit the Melbourne Fringe website or call the ticketing team on 9660 9666.

Hutson was visibly nervous as she looked her audience in the eye and apologised for needing a script onstage. It set the tone for the evening being a little unpolished, yes, but also totally unpretentious and truthful. When her microphone failed and she pushed it aside, we were gifted with more pure, direct delivery. Signs held up to the audience were fumbled, but the messages written on each one still managed to reach out and touch the heart. A wig slipping off a bald cap only added to the hilarity of her Die Hard re-enactment.

In an interview last month Hutson suggested she intended to make the audience laugh before – surprise! – punching them in the gut, and the third act delivers that punch. Her nervousness and difficulty with lines is directly attributable to this being the first time performing as herself, so it was endearing rather than frustrating when she stumbled over words in difficult passages of memory.  The climax of this gut-punch, when Hutson addresses her 14 year old self, is moving.

The 80s soundtrack was well-curated and high-energy, and fake blood was used hilariously. The cosy venue meant audience participation felt unpretentious and added to the growing feeling that Hutson really was baring it all.

After the 45 minutes with Hutson has flown by, the audience leaves with a new hero but, remarkably, no new enemy. Despite discussing troubling experiences, the resolution of the piece is women-positive without being men-negative. Unlike the films Hutson so admires, her own show triumphs without needing to crush a loser. The positivity is refreshing. A woman onstage alone, less than a metre from her audience, peeling back the layers of her life and revealing her heart. Undoubtedly opening night has sanded off the rough edges, and Hutson’s heart is not to be missed.

Strong Female Character runs from the September 26th – October 3rd at 6:45pm at the Fringe Hub Parlour Room, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne.

See more at: https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/program/event/view/4844bb94-ac38-4c79-b161-3002f3eca8de