Sandi Mac Full Circle: Sing Us A Song, Piano Woman ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[CABARET/Music ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ VIC] The Arch at Holden Street Theatres, Sat 25 Feb, 2023. Adelaide-born and bred Sandi McMenamin is a seasoned trouper, sharing the depths and breadth of her experiences in professional show business with true panache. It is a treat to witness the love affair she has with her piano. In full command of her instrument, she takes us through the highlights of her life story, while we simultaneously travel all over Australia. By the end of the hour, we’ve been everywhere, man! Her clever original songs start with one totally site specific – and the meaning of the title of her show, ‘Full Circle’ becomes clear. There are songs with a direct local flavour, and witty parodies about our capital cities. But it is the tiniest towns in our state that evoke some of the richest imagery. There is even a poignant song about the homeless and the needy in our society. A few songs together with a younger family member provide a delightful addition, a nod to the new generation of SA voices, as well as those bygone ones. Many of the notable names of those working in Australia’s music, theatre and radio worlds, along with the movers and shakers in other fields besides the arts, are captured in Sandi’s verses, as we stroll with her through the years. Her smooth, clear voice sends us around the globe where she took her talents to many countries. A delightful French medley gives us a taste of her huge repertoire. After paying her dues in piano bars, her wide knowledge of tunes allows her to pull out pertinent parts of any song to illustrate her story, without the need to play the whole piece. With plenty of pizazz and more than a dash of razzmatazz, Sandi delivers a soundscape for South Australia that we all should hear. It is the heartbeat of our culture. An experienced singer/pianist/songwriter who has performed in every kind of musical, theatrical, and teaching field since gaining her Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano from The University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium. She has travelled extensively as a piano bar entertainer in Australia and overseas and is back presenting her own cabaret shows around South Australia. ABC Adelaide radio presenter Peter Goers regularly features Sandi’s song Hello How Are You Robe, which pays homage to Peter’s unique weather reporting on his Evening Show. Sandi's three albums of original songs are available online, with several songs also appearing as YouTube videos, most notably Adelaide You’re A Lady, The Spirit Of South Australia and The Sea Dragon Coast. 3.5 stars David Cronin Sandi Mac Full Circle continues at The Arch at Holden Street Theatres at 3pm until Sun 5 Mar. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #Clothesline_Mag #ADLfringe #HST