Tinkerings: A Keen Sense Of The Ridiculous ~ Adelaide Fringe 2019 Review

[COMEDY/MUSIC ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ QLD] Broadcast Bar, Thu 21 Feb. Eric Tinker (AKA Derek Tickner) is blessed with a keen sense of the ridiculous. His ‘Tinkerings’ are his observations, sometimes his own, more often revisions of other peoples’ songs. At best, these result in some splendid moments of silliness, at worst some God-awful parodies. Both are on show here tonight. Tinker’s guitar strumming is basic and faltering. His voice is good enough to convey his ideas so we focus on the words. The show begins strongly. Tinker is charming and there are laughs to be had. Tossing away the lyrics at the end of each song could be seen as a Spike Milligan touch. It’s when he starts to channel Bowie that we begin to see a problem. He reveals that Bowie’s China Girl failed miserably at first when released as Cockney Girl. He starts to perform the supposed original but peters out with a single punch-line in the first verse. This could have been great if he had performed the whole song in this manner. Finish it, Eric! About halfway through we are introduced to guest artist Hugh Lawrie (actually Fergus O’Regan performing his startling song Naked In The Lounge Room!!) Actually it seems the main reason for a guest artist is to allow Eric to go offstage for a slight costume change and come back in a wig – no, not as Elvis, but as Billy Ray Cyrus!! Then after this truly dire impersonation (Lose it, Eric!) he removes the wig to reveal a cow mask, and we are thankfully back in the land of the silly with a meditating cow! (“OMM is just MOO spelled backwards to us….”). Then it’s The Proclaimers singing 500 Miles for the French – try singing 804.672 Kilometres in time! This was the first night of his first attempt at a Fringe show and all power to him for having a go! He’s done the open mics and folk club circuits, but needs a bit more work on the good ideas and a bit more quality control! 2.5 stars Adrian Miller Tinkerings continues at Broadcast Bar from 8pm on Wed 27 Feb and from 7pm on Thu 7 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe Image courtesy of Derek Tickner