The Divine Loveys: Singing Their Best Lives ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[MUSIC/Cabaret ~ NSW] The Arch at Holden Street Theatres, Thu 2 Mar, 2023. It is not often you get to see and hear a bassoon solo in the middle of a song, or percussion coming from a China cup and spoon, but tonight The Loveys do just that with all the pizzazz they can muster. Hailing from Mullumbimby and having survived recent floods and lockdowns these four women are now out to entertain. Wearing sequinned costumes, they appear on stage singing Have I Left It Too Late? This is an amusing look at aging and working in the music and entertainment industry. Sung with tongue in cheek bravado by Jenny Parenteau this is a strong opening. What follows is a series of songs penned and sung by them all. Tight harmonies feature heavily throughout the performance, and it is clear that Jenny on ukulele, Janette Swaine on keyboards, bassoon, and melodica, Belinda Eadsforth on percussion and ukulele, and Pamela Freeman on bass, enjoy making music together. They sing about topics mainly starting with the letter D (hence the added Divine in the show title) such as dementia, divorce and dating apps, as well as finding new love and even learning to tango, all covered with a light touch and the sensibility of the mature woman. Chat in between songs is relaxed and open and at times it feels like you are being included in their friendship circle. The show closes with their only cover, a version of Sia’s Chandelier. A notoriously difficult song to sing but these women’s voices combine beautifully and do it justice. There is a cabaret sensibility lurking in the background of this show but never any brashness. Rather there is a waggishness in the air tinged with the wisdom of women trying to live their best lives. 3 stars Cathy Tune The Divine Loveys continues at The Arch at Holden Street Theatres from 7.45pm until Sun 5 Mar. Book at Fringetix and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.