By Jade Franks. Adelaide Fringe 2026. The Studio - Holden Street Theatres. February 17th - March 22nd, 2026
Jade Franks is a writer and performer from Liverpool in the UK - she was the recipient of the Holden Street Theatres’ Edinburgh Fringe Award. This award was established to bring high-quality independent theatre from Edinburgh to the Adelaide Fringe. It’s a crucial bridge for international artists to reach Australian audiences. Franks has won many awards for her artistic endeavours and it's easy to see why after witnessing her latest production.

A large performing space is home to a desk centre stage; the kind that has a top that lifts up, so items can be stored below. A small stool on wheels sits behind it, with a desktop phone above. These props might seem inconsequential, but work cleverly to store costumes and props. The stool doubles hilariously as a bicycle halfway through the performance.

Frank's autobiographical script deals with class differences and privilege. Cleverly written from the perspective of a young woman working in a call centre, who dreams of life beyond the streets of Liverpool. Within minutes of Franks entering to answer a phone call, you fall in love with her energy and her thick working-class Scouser accent. Her personality is effervescent; she carries a charm and wit that makes her likeable and has you rooting for her success.

We fast forward to her surprising entry to Cambridge. In order to survive, she takes a job as a cleaner. Keen to hide this fact, she does her best to find her people and belong. Franks soon realises she's not in Liverpool anymore. That fine line between staying authentic and trying to belong blurs with hilarious results.

The script is fast-paced, fun and informative. Realising that to fit in, she must dull her personality and follow a set of archaic rules, becomes too much for this young Liverpudlian. A centuries old class system in England, divides a population by wealth, occupation and education. One woman’s journey through this social hierarchy is told ironically, with class.

This one-hour tale is tightly directed by Tatenda Shamiso. Our performer barely takes a breath in the retelling of her story. A defining tale of identity and how far we will go to fit in.

Kerry Cooper