[Theatre and Physical Theatre / Solo show             SA Premiere / New South Wales]
The Mill, Wed 8 March, 2023.

Lucy Heffernan is a Party Girl in every meaning of the title: she likes a drink and a dance, and she is also a children’s entertainer. Following her on a typical day gives us insights into much more than the life of a working fairy involves. Lucy is fine with not being able to fly, despite her fairy wings. She has both feet planted firmly in whatever reality she can find; partly to escape her mother’s insistence on still treating her like a child, and also to help with the hangovers from the parties – the nightly ones, that is. The kid’s parties during the day have strict rules of behavior, mostly to ensure that the belief in this magical creature is maintained.

Original songs link the story segments with cutting lyrics, and a wailing, distorted guitar highlights the emotions. Her strong voice delivers the well-crafted tunes in a variety of styles. These are kept to just the right length. Like Russian dolls, the stories within stories multiply until we wonder what is the real tale, what is true or lies. The show is the ideal vehicle to bring issues of mental illness in families out into the light. This is shared with compelling yet simple clarity. The contrast between a mental hospital and the make-believe world of fairies becomes blurred, and the connections become clear. Without the need to labour feminist points, this company brings important subjects to the stage in a powerful way.

With her commanding presence we are transported into the enchanted world of theatre, where only the story matters. I don’t know if there is a collective noun for a herd of unicorns – is there even more than one unicorn? – but the crowd were happy to take on this role. Enthralled throughout, we joined in the songs, while in-between you could hear the glitter drop, such was the spell Lucy wove upon us all.

Presented by: Purple Tape Productions