Paroxysm Press – The Showcase Series: Stories Told In Spoken Word ~ Adelaide Fringe 2019 Review

[CABARET/SPOKEN WORD ~ SA] Broadcast Bar, Sat 23 Feb. Paroxysm Press are known on the Adelaide spoken word scene as rule breakers and risk takers, so it wouldn’t be a Paroxysm Press Fringe show without a surprise or two. To begin, Scotsman Colin Bramwell performed an excerpt from his Fringe show Umbrella Man, a brilliantly paranoid and playful take on conspiracy theories. It was a cracking start. Bramwell is a polished and seasoned performer. His presence on stage felt effortless and the piece clever and funny. Tracey Korsten read three short pieces, culminating in For Sale Family Home Leederville, a chilling tale of domestic violence cleverly interwoven with suburban banality. Korsten’s work bleeds with the wounds of misogyny. Ben Adams was next, and a highlight of his set was Incident Report, a true story about an altercation between two people in a bingle, as told through the eyes of the onlooker. Adams is a keen observer, sometimes gentle, often reflective, always nuanced, and I found myself wanting to read his work to take it in more completely. Next, Kathy Parker, a newcomer to the Paroxysm family, delivered a suite of poems tapping into the connected themes of powerlessness and compliance in relationships. Parker performed powerfully and delivered her emotional pieces with commitment. She’s one to watch. Jason Smith, The Half Artist, closed the spoken word part of the evening with pieces taken from his recent album, and a slam poem, Expectations. Smith’s work hums with rhythm and pain. And that’s when things got weird, Paroxysm-style weird, with two short films from Dick Dale. The program said that, ‘Tonight he will bring you a selection from his home made classic video nasty library.’ It was nasty alright – experimental films with a sexualised bent that at best were in poor taste. But maybe that was the point. 3.5 stars Lynette Washington Paroxysm Press – The Showcase Series continues at Broadcast Bar from 7pm on Sat 2 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe Image courtesy of Beat Museum, San Francisco