By Jenna Schroder
The Fringe Wives Club’s cabaret show “Glittergrass” opens with an earthy acapella that rolls into a medley of pop hits packed with southern style. This raucous opening sets the fun loving feminist tone of the night and showcases the cast’s high energy.
Armed with rhinestones, fringing and Dolly Parton-esque wigs, these wives want their voices heard. They’re here to lambast the status-quo from the saturation of Ned Kelly in film and television to white feminism.
Their number on acknowledging one’s privilege is particularly biting in its hilarity. Outlining their own privileged experiences that have enabled them to perform in the arts, they then demand the audience check their own privilege and realise what being able to access a performance in Melbourne’s Arts Precinct says about one’s financial stability.
Glittergrass has a slew of original songs that pack a political punch as well as warm harmonies.
Victoria Falconer acts as musical director, jumping across, by my last count, five instruments with ease and her singing is wonderfully sultry. Tessa Waters is in her element ad libbing for extra laughs and Laura Frew draws in the crowd with gusto and naive charm.
Though the pacing drags at times, and for an hour long show, the production felt very light on production numbers, the audience is there with the wives every step of the way and it’s a sad surprise when the show draws to a close.
If you want your feminist discourse to come with a side of laughs and entertainment, this shows the one for you.
All opinions and thoughts expressed within reviews on Theatre Travels are those of the writer and not of the company at large.