[AUSTRALIA ~ WORLD PREMIERE]

Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Thu 14 Jun.

Mark Holden brings together history, his family tree and a timeline of his life and career in a magical web of wonder and delight, with a splash of delightful humour.

With a beautiful backdrop of old photos and videos that bring back a load of forgotten and loved memories, his running commentary and original soundtracks go hand in hand to bring his audience into his beautiful family history and feel all the dips and troughs, and ride the magical waves that are around the corner with him.Mark Holden and Red Carnation - Image by Janine Spearpoint - AdCabFest18 - The Clothesline

Although I may not be old enough to ‘get’ all of the references from the very beginning of his career, it doesn’t take away from the story being told and to feel all the emotions he very eloquently – and with great humility – brings to the stage.

With references to his imagined self-image in the early years and a clothing mistake that actually worked and propelled him into stardom as the Carnation Kid, his career included stage shows, movie roles and TV shows that included guest spots in The Paul Hogan Show, Countdown and of course The Young Doctors, that took me right back to my childhood! His success in Australia and the reasons he didn’t make it in the UK or US need to be heard to be believed, and seems he has come to terms with, as he uses his families’ circus analogy of “some towns make money, some don’t” and is happy with that.

Accompanied by his four-piece band and a soundtrack with input from his beloved family, his show was so much more than any of my preconceptions had me expecting. From the beginning with Uncle Adolphus Holden founding the Holden Brother’s Circus with wife and 10 children, to the present day, his family time line is a fascinating tale to hear unfold.

After a world debut at Adelaide Cabaret Festival, he takes his show on a regional tour of South Australia and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to hear his smooth rich story telling voice sing a smile on your face too.

The love and pride he has for his family are laid bare for all to see, and I for one, am glad to see that they are still Flying Holden’s.

5 stars

Janine Spearpoint

#AdCabFest
#AdelaideFesCent
adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au

Centre photo courtesy of Janine Spearpoint

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[AUSTRALIA ~ WORLD PREMIERE] Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Thu 14 Jun. Mark Holden brings together history, his family tree and a timeline of his life and career in a magical web of wonder and delight, with a splash of delightful humour. With a beautiful backdrop of old photos and videos that bring back a load of forgotten and loved memories, his running commentary and original soundtracks go hand in hand to bring his audience into his beautiful family history and feel all the dips and troughs, and ride the magical waves that are around the corner with him. Although I may not be old enough to ‘get’ all of the references from the very beginning of his career, it doesn’t take away from the story being told and to feel all the emotions he very eloquently – and with great humility – brings to the stage. With references to his imagined self-image in the early years and a clothing mistake that actually worked and propelled him into stardom as the Carnation Kid, his career included stage shows, movie roles and TV shows that included guest spots in The Paul Hogan Show, Countdown and of course The Young Doctors, that took me right back to my childhood! His success in Australia and the reasons he didn’t make it in the UK or US need to be heard to be believed, and seems he has come to terms with, as he uses his families’ circus analogy of “some towns make money, some don’t” and is happy with that. Accompanied by his four-piece band and a soundtrack with input from his beloved family, his show was so much more than any of my preconceptions had me expecting. From the beginning with Uncle Adolphus Holden founding the Holden Brother’s Circus with wife and 10 children, to the present day, his family time line is a fascinating tale to hear unfold. After a world debut at Adelaide Cabaret Festival, he takes his show on a regional tour of South Australia and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to hear his smooth rich story telling voice sing a smile on your face too. The love and pride he has for his family are laid bare for all to see, and I for one, am glad to see that they are still Flying Holden’s. 5 stars Janine Spearpoint #AdCabFest #AdelaideFesCent adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au Centre photo courtesy of Janine Spearpoint

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