The Flanagan Collective – Fable: A Moving Piece of Mixed Media Theatre – Adelaide Fringe Review

Queens Theatre – Red Queen, Sun 14 Feb Growing up is hard. All of the potential, the dreams, and the idealism of youth can be slowly ground away by a seemingly endless slog of hard days for not enough money, but once in a while, a chance encounter can break the trance of routine and reignite the fires within. The UK’s critically acclaimed Flanagan Collective theatre company have crafted a moving piece of mixed media theatre that fearlessly explores the space between reach and grasp in an era of austerity and disconnected connectedness. J is a schoolteacher whose fascination with the cosmos has inspired and driven her despite a limiting heart defect. Blair is a tree surgeon who rails against corporate housing developments and the Internet from atop his barstool in a remote Scottish village. When J and Blair meet, their yearnings collide in a heartfelt explosion of aspiration in the face of adversity. From anti-corporate tirades to riffs on Carl Sagan’s pale blue dot and beyond, this show packs a great deal into its 60 minute running time. Juxtaposing vivid depictions of everyday life with childhood anecdotes and adult realities, Fable is a tale of hope for dreamers who find themselves perhaps not quite where they expected or hoped to be. Set to a mesmerising live electric guitar soundtrack with slides providing occasional visual background, Fable gradually evokes a mood of wonder, entrancing and touching the audience with its blend of spoken word, storytelling, and live music. The cabaret seating and cash bar of the historic Queens Theatre (Red Queen) combine to give this production a casual vibe befitting its modern countercultural aesthetic. By the time the performance’s bookends have come to a close, a spell has been cast, and many theatregoers may find that their fires, too, have been rekindled. An experience not to be missed. Matt Saunders The Flanagan Collective - Fable continues at Queens Theatre: Red Queen from 7:15pm until Mon 14 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.