‘WOW!’ That is the first thing that came to mind when Frankly began singing in her show, The Alchemist of Feelings. It’s not just that her voice is amazing, which it is, it’s also the her lyrics that pack quite the punch. This is a woman who is hurt, angry and confused at the world around her and has focused all these feelings into one brilliant performance. An Alchemist is described in the dictionary as ‘a person who transforms or creates something through a seemingly magical process,’ and on the opening night of her Adelaide Fringe show, it was Frankly who created the magic on stage. To see Frankly before the show started, you wouldn’t be able to predict what was about to come. Relaxed and holding a glass of wine, she looked perfectly comfortable, with no apparent nerves, and a friendly and welcoming disposition. When her performance started, however, it was a different story. Totally in the zone, she discussed what life is like living with at least three mental illnesses, the death of her beloved grandmother, and how blaming women for the rise in rape culture has become the norm. And it’s not just what she says that really hits you, it’s the way she puts it into song. Beautiful macabre melodies, which don’t sit anywhere near mainstream music, are filled with dread and death but also have a touch of nostalgia and realness to them, which you can tell have come straight from her heart. The Alchemist of Feelings is a very apt title for this show because you won’t know how to feel. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh, cry or just give this amazing performer a big old hug by the end of the show. In the end, she got a well-deserved round of applause and my great admiration. One of the most powerful performances you’ll see at this year’s Fringe. FOUR AND A HALF STARS *****