First things first – this is not one for the kids, leave them at home.
This headline affair has officially made its world premiere at the Adelaide Fringe for the 2023 season, and thus far, it really is the life of the party.
Quite fittingly dubbed The Party, it is nothing short of that inside The Garden of Unearthly Delights’ Spiegeltent.
Once the doors shut behind you, be prepared to mentally step back in time to the wildest party you’ve ever been to, with the addition of acrobatics, clever skits and stunts, and even a little bit of swinging from the chandeliers.
The Party aims to give audiences an uncensored insight into the debaucherous goings-on of a high-society soiree where nothing is off limits. A singing loo even has its time to shine accompanied by multiple pairs of underwear coming out the wazoo.
Although a storyline isn’t exactly centre stage, subtle love spiels and quick tales of jealousy here and there give viewers mini narratives to grasp, with saucy sights aplenty complimented by minimal, but glitzy clothing.
In between the laughs and intermittent gasps, acrobatics which appear effortless will leave you in awe, with one audience member commenting, “now how did she do that?”
Combined with well-known classics and meme-like songs, expect to see some super wet scenes (no, really though) where some things certainly aren’t left to the imagination, if you know what we mean.
Water guns and heaps of bog roll definitely aren’t excluded either, with a scattering of crowd involvement to be expected. Don’t be shy, just let it happen.
And just when you think The Party can’t get any steamier, an intermission allows for a breather before some crazy s**t goes down.
The Party is brought to us by Strut & Fret, creators of Adelaide Fringe sell-out hits Blanc de Blanc, The Purple Rabbit, and LIMBO. And with international performers welcomed back for the first time since 2020, the seasoned line-up of cast members are a treat.
Taking to the stage are London West-End theatre royalty, Amanda Lindgren and Danny Collins Wright; New Yorker, Todd Degnan, who has toured and performed with Cirque US, numerous US Fringe Festivals, and Live 305 Entertainment; and Keaton M. Hentoff-Killian who has spent the last six years performing with world-renowned Circa.
Along with dancer DayDay Williams who has performed with the likes of TLC and Kendrick Lamar; aerialist and artist Angela McIlroy-Wagar with Cirque du Soleil, and Les 7 Doigts de la Main; burlesque artist Kael Murray who has performed with Empire Strips Back; and circus acrobat and graduate of renowned Ecole Nationale de Cirque, Dylan Ingwersen – that’s one talented crew right there.
Conceived and directed by Scott Maidment, with comedy direction by Spencer Novich (American Horror Story, and Blanc de Blanc) and choreography from LA’s Kevin Maher (choreographer to Madonna, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber), you already know you’re in for a wild ride.
Scott Maidment warns audiences to, “Expect great music, extravagant costumes, and escalating energy within a theatre set unlike anything you’ve ever seen before at Fringe. If you’ve ever been to a wilder party – you’re under arrest!”
So, pop your fun hat on, prepare for a post-show high, and get amongst the millennials who are on the brink of their party era exodus and the dads in fedoras simply reminiscing on their golden days.
The Party is showing at The Spiegeltent inside The Garden of Unearthly Delights from Friday 17 February until Sunday 19 March 2023. Tickets are essential.