2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival; Sammy J and Randy in ‘Bin Night’ (preview)

Guarding Garbage By Linh

Sammy J and Randy present their latest comedy musical Bin Night at the 2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival. Image: laughingstock.com.au

Comedian, writer, musician Sammy J and his puppet partner Randy (with special appearances by puppeteer Heath McIvor) return to Adelaide to bring an extravaganza of original songs, clever quips and a story filled with intrigue, shocks and laughs in Bin Night.
Bin Night is a comedy musical where Sammy and Randy suspect someone has been dumping rubbish into their wheelie bin and they both hold an all night stake-out to catch the culprits they call bin bandits. Suspects include the little granny who lives down the street, the loner and Scientologist Mr Vincent and a possum. They have sophisticated technology (walkie talkies) to communicate with each other and even a hi-tech security system (very temperamental) to protect their household goods, but their surveillance plans go awry when Sammy and Randy are accidentally locked outside their house. While Sammy is put on hold by the security company, we discover some truths and lies they each keep from each other. It eventually becomes apparent that perhaps Sammy and Randy are hiding things from each other by dumping it in the bin. Randy’s love and yearning for a Peruvian lady, Sammy J’s passion for Belinda Carlisle and his suspicion of possums and the identity of the garbage dumper are revealed in spectacular fashion.



Sammy and Randy complement each other superbly and work together effectively as they smoothly weave in running jokes, visual and audio gags, and excellent segues from one incident to the next, along with Belinda Carlisle references, and Father Time and his life juice. They are quick to recover from verbal blunders, prop problems and technical failures using funny adlibs and improvisation. Preview shows can sometimes bring out the worst in some, but this comedy duo are at their funniest when things go wrong. There are special appearances from Heath McIvor in many different guises and the Creepy Shovel makes a cameo appearance.

Bin Night consists of a well-structured narrative with witty, fast-paced dialogue peppered with fun wordplay and even a segment of tongue-twisting exchanges between Sammy and Randy. Sammy even shows off some culinary skills that evoke laughter as the food flies off the plate and into the audience. Deliberate or not, it was a classy theatrical moment. The songs are not all random, but do relate to the characters’ situations and the plot, and Sammy and Randy’s duets are always humourous and brilliant.
Bin Night is another must-see show directed by Spicks And Specks team captain Alan Brough, and is worth more than one attendance.


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WHO: Sammy J and Randy in Bin Night

WHAT: Puppetry, comedy, music, theatre

WHERE: Le Cascadeur in the Garden of Unearthly Delights

WHEN: All shows start at 8:45pm

Preview – (Cheap Tuesdays) 15 February
Cheap Tuesdays: 22 February and 1, 8 March
Regular price shows: 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 February and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 March

PRICE: Cheap Tuesdays – All Shows $20
Regular Prices - Adults: $25
Concession: $20

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour

Buy Fringe Tickets:
Adelaide Fringe Ticketing

Mamma Mia! The Movie; musical comedy film review

TRIPLE THREAT: Rosie (Julie Walters), Donna (Meryl Streep) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) reminisce about the days of young love on the eve of Sophie's wedding in a scene from Mamma Mia!. Image: Universal Pictures.


Dancing Disco Divas by Linh

Based on the stage musical, Mamma Mia! is brought to the silver screen with a stellar cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. Producer of the stage version, Judy Craymer and director Phyllida Lloyd have remained loyal to Catherine Johnson's script, transposing the hit musical from stage to screen.

With the blessings of ABBA band members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who were also the executive producers alongside Hollywood super couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, more than twenty ABBA songs are performed and woven into the narrative.


In the simplistic plot, Sophie Sheridan is about to get married and lives on a beautiful Greek island with her mother, Donna, who runs a crumbling hotel. Sophie has never known her father and dreams of finding him to walk her down the aisle. She finds her mother's diary and invites three candidates who might be father to attend the wedding, without telling her mother.


Double Oscar winner Meryl Streep is definitely the stand out performer amongst a talented ensemble cast. Having sung in numerous stage and screen productions, the role of Donna seems to be a vocal fit for the likeable Streep. Even doing the slits mid-air while singing and bouncing about on a bed comes naturally to her. Streep has a powerful vocal delivery and is sensational in her dance sequences. Her highlight is the emotionally gut-wrenching The Winner Takes It All, but other solos of note include Money, Money, Money and Mamma Mia.

Amanda Seyfried, of Mean Girls fame, stars as the wide-eyed and sweet-voiced Sophie, who is engaging and shines with humour in her lead vocals for Honey, Honey, moving and melodic in I Have A Dream and in romantic mode for her duet with Dominic Cooper, Lay All Your Love On Me.

British actress Julie Walters is Rosie, the comical and supportive writer friend of Donna's, who is also a member of the girl power band Donna and the Dynamos. Walters delivers here harmony parts in Chiquitita, Dancing Queen and Super Trouper with aplomb. Her duet with Stellan Skarsgård, Take A Chance on Me is an absolute hoot.

Christine Baranski is the bold and brassy socialite, Tanya, who is also a member of Donna and the Dynamos, with a huge sexual appetite for younger men. She is hilarious in her duet with young suitor, Philip Michael,with Does Your Mother Know?, and provides brilliant harmonies in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)and I Do, I Do, I Do.

Although the male cast for Mamma Mia! looks stylish, their vocal prowess lacks the intensity and energy compared to the ladies.

Pierce Brosnan plays the architect, Sam Carmichael, whose heart still burns for Donna after twenty years apart. Brosnan adds the same suave and smoothness to Sam as he does for James Bond, but his singing is a little rough around the edges. Despite this, Brosnan is capable of carrying a tune (you could even hear his Irish accent while he sings) and he gives his all in S.O.S and Our Last Summer.

Everyone's favourite Mr Darcy, Colin Firth, is amazing as the former rebel rocker turned corporate banker, Harry 'Headbanger' Bright. Firth is the strongest vocally and musically of the male leads, even playing his guitar during Our Last Summer. He lends his talented vocals in harmony for Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) and Voulez-Vous.


Other notable performances come courtesy of Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Sophie's third possible father and travel writer whose care-free spirit and larrikin humour provide comic relief; Dominic Copper as Sophie's fiancee, Sky, has barely enough screen time, yet he is competent as singer and dancer; and the actors who play the hotel staff and also double as chorus singers and backing dancers throughout
were excellent.

Eagle-eyed audiences would be able to spot ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in cameo roles during the middle and the end of the film. Stay around for a special encore performance from the entire cast, that's ABBA-solutely fABBA-ulous.
It's a nostalgic dance down the 1970s dicso memory lane, with sequins, skin tight spandex and silver-soled platform boots.
Whether or not you've seen the stage musical, it won't affect your enjoyment of the sparkling and exhilarating spectacle of Mamma Mia! The Movie.

Disney's High School Musical; musical theatre review

Promotional photograph from the smash hit film 'High School Musical'.


Teen Sensations by Linh

South Australia's newly formed musical theatre company Creative Souls Theatre does a brilliant job with the Adelaide premiere of Disney's 'High School Musical'.

'High School Musical' is a fresh take on musical elements of 'Grease - the Musical' fused with similar high energy dance sequences. The story follows two young lovers, Troy Bolton the jock and basketball star, and Gabriella Montez the highly intelligent new girl at East High. They share a secret passion to sing and fall in love when they meet at a Karaoke contest. Their attempts to audition for the high school musical 'Juliet and Romeo' are thwarted by envious drama queen Sharpay Evans and other class mates.

Sixteen year old Harry Breese plays the affable and physically flexible Troy, whose duets with Gabriella are showstoppers. Harry shows vocal maturity with fluid musicality in What I've Been Looking For and Start Of Something New, and brings humour and fine athletic abilities during Getcha Head In The Game while simultaneously dancing and bouncing basketballs.

Young performer Lucy Russell has the velvety vocals to play a sweet and determined Gabriella Monez. Lucy successfully conveys her character's emotions through song and movement in the duet I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You with Troy and for When There Was Me And You.

The standout performer is seventeen year old Emily Clark, who plays the conniving drama queen Sharpay Evans. A member of the Power Funk Squad, the hip hop team for Port Adelaide Football Club, Emily shows star quality on stage as well as on the field. Emily gives a brilliant bitchy edge to Sharpay and belts and bops her way through Bop To The Top with Ryan, and ignites the stage with a combination of funky dance steps and exquisite voice in the jazzy version of What I've Been Looking For also with Ryan.

Multitalented Josh Sanders plays Ryan Evans, the long suffering dance and singing partner to Sharpay and her fraternal twin, with gentle understanding and patience. Ryan is the calming Yin to Sharpay's raging Yang, but they are superb when both talents are combined for their audition duets. Josh's voice has rich tonal qualities and blends well with Emily Clark's to create gorgeous harmonies to rival Troy and Gabriella. When Josh isn't performing on stage, he's directing, producing, designing sets or illuminating the stage with his lighting skills.

Other notable mentions are Linda Ellis who plays extravagantly attired drama teacher Ms Darbus, with passionate overtures for performing arts, Chris Buhagia as Coach Bolton, the competitive and demanding basketball coach, and the wonderful supporting cast provide some laughs throughout.

Director Judy Sampson manages the ensemble cast of 58 teenagers and two adults, with the amazing talents of youths aged from 10 to 20, to create a stellar production consisting of memorable tunes, fabulous costumes and excellent performances.

Choreographer Becci Schembri works her magic to provide the intricate dance sequences and cheerleading routines which complements the production's catchy musical score.

Under the musical direction of Ria Loof, the audience kept the toes tapping and applause continuing following every song and dance scene.

'High School Musical' is a special family treat during the school holidays and is not just for the young, but also for the young at heart.

More Menopause

The Adelaide season of 'Menopause the Musical' will now run until March 4 (previously until Feb 11). This is excellent news, as I can now see the show more than once.