In an Adelaide Fringe world that is filled with tribute bands, burlesque and drag shows, it often appears that Frankly is single-handedly keeping the independent cabaret scene alive. Every year, she makes the pilgrimage to the Adelaide Fringe, picks the smallest, dingiest room to perform in and blows the audience away with her own brand of off-kilter songs and comedic stylings. In her 2026 show, Islands, she keeps her songs a little more… on-kilter, singing about her everyday life, but of course putting her own Frankly cabaret spin on them.

Sitting in The Attic of The Austral Hotel, I’m sure this room used to be a sauna in its former life, because it is hot, sticky and uncomfortable. Frankly is well aware of this; it’s her last performance of the season, and she does her best to make the packed room as comfortable as possible. “Air conditioner off or air conditioner on? I don’t care as long as one of you doesn’t f@#ken die on me… I don’t have insurance!” she exclaims. This isn’t part of the show, mind you, just Frankly’s unique brand of humour that adds to her irresistible charm. One minute, she’ll be in conversation, swearing at you like a sailor, and the next, winning your heart over with some carefully crafted lyrics and a catchy tune. This is basically what she has been doing her whole Fringe life, but with Islands, there’s no real structure to the performance; it’s more like an experimental show that she’s trying to piece together.

Frankly’s performance on Saturday night could have been quite easily called ‘Striptease Cabaret’, such was the theme of the evening. A bit of banter to the crowd, then her shoes came off, a song or two, then her pants came off, another song and then her shirt was tied up around her mid-section. With any other performer, this may have felt uncomfortable, but this was Frankly, and she always explains her thought process, makes sure everybody is comfortable, and best of all, makes the room laugh along with her. 

As for the songs themselves, they’re always witty, poignant and smack of real-life dramas in Frankly’s life. From the title song Islands to The Balcony, you can be sure to hear them perfected further along down the track… probably at the next Adelaide Fringe. It may have been hot, sweaty and uncomfortable, but Frankly’s Islands is a place that you’d love to be stranded on!

****1/2 Four and a Half Stars