Toby Gajewski presents his first foray into the world of Adelaide Fringe with his one-man show We’ll Call You!, a musical journey showcasing Gajewski’s love for opera and the ennui of life as a performing artist.   

We follow Gajewski through a blend of carefully selected musical numbers stemming from showtunes, opera and classical theatre. A local opera singer and performer in his own right, Gajewski links the passion of songcraft with the tangible struggles of life as an artist and the pains of auditioning. Each song parallels an aspect of the struggle of finding work as an artist, as well as the disillusionment with working under capitalism while chasing a dream. Gajewski is a stoic yet persevering presence on stage, carrying an endearing emotional realness. He wastes no time in dropping the audience into his inner world and mining his deeper thoughts. It makes for a decidedly intimate example of character-driven theatre.

Gajewski’s journey is one of poignant reservation and reflection of identity in an ever-changing and ever-demanding world. He balances a good dash of humour with the wry observations and contradictions of daily life. He keeps the narrative beats short and to the point, trusting the audience to feel his impatience with waiting for direction and clarity. Many of the musical pieces may be unfamiliar to those outside of opera circles, but there is emotional weight in how Gajewski pays deliberate and sincere tribute to the artists he incorporates into his work.

The Warehouse Theatre provides a cosy ambience that lends to Gajewski's frank performance and subject matter. The close proximity to his audience allows his baritone vocals to soar when he pays homage to artists such as Konieczny and Caldara, while indulging in more playful and heartfelt tunes from Cabaret and Carousel. The show finishes with a moving rendition of Move On by Stephen Sondheim, a gesture of gratitude and thanks to those who have supported his creative endeavours.
We'll Call You! is a love letter to performance art and an intimate tale of finding meaning through song and standing by a dream. It’s a fabulous and ambitious debut for a solo theatre artist, and I can’t wait to see what he does next!
**** Four Stars