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This show belongs to the Adelaide Fringe 2026 season. This season is now over.

Issy wears a denim shirt and is looking up. They have a puppet version of themselves resting on their shoulder in a matching outfit. They both stand on an apple green background.
Issy lies with their head on their hands, surrounded by colourful felt finger puppets. They look contemplative. The background is a soft green.
Issy poses with their hands splayed on their lower back. There is a colourful finger puppet on each finger. The shot only shows Issy's lower back, hands and thighs. They are dressed in a blue denim shirt and denim shorts. The background is blue.
Adelaide Fringe 2026

Issy Coomber: Assigned Puppet At Birth

It's a puppet show with very special guest, Issy Coomber! Issy is debuting their first original work with a clusterf**k of song, physical theatre, satire, tap dance and a whole lot of puppetry. Follow Issy as they navigate life as a trans person in the musical theatre industry whilst paying homage to a certain unnamed variety TV show hosted by a very charming frog. Issy dives into the importance of queer community (or shall we say, rainbow connection wink wink) and choosing joy as a form of resistance. Camp, silly and joyful, 'Assigned Puppet At Birth' celebrates all things puppet and all things queer!

(It is to be noted that this show used to be called 'The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me' before Issy was sent a mildly stern email about copyright laws from a certain large entertainment corporation. Now, this show has a beautiful new chosen name so Issy doesn't get sued!)

Performer, Producer and Writer: Issy Coomber
Co-Writer and Director: Rhys Stewart
Composer and Accompanist: Josh Belperio
Sound and Lighting Technician: Sammi Bew

Images by Hey Cammie Photography (images 1 and 3) and Eligh Dungey (image 2)

Presented by: Issy Coomber

Issy is a non-binary artist who specialises in cabaret, industrial tap dance, musical theatre and general silliness. Their previous theatre credits credits include Sasha in A Transgender Woman on the Internet Crying (Adelaide Cabaret Festival), The Bride of Frankenstein in Universal Monsters Live: Rock and Roll Show (Universal Studios Japan and Student/Cook in Innocence (State Opera SA). Issy has previously obtained a Diploma of Musical Theatre from WAAPA and is currently studying their Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Elder Conservatorium of Music. 'The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me: Issy Coomber' is their debut original work!
Cabaret • LGBTQIA+
South Australia • World Premiere
 
Fringe Fund Recipient
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Suitability & warnings

Content rating: MA15+
Depicts Violence: Occasional, Mild
Coarse Language: Occasional, Strong
Sexual References: Occasional, Strong
Mental Health

Accessibility

 
High visual content
 
Audience members interact from the seated or standing area

Presenter

Presented by: Issy Coomber

Issy is a non-binary artist who specialises in cabaret, industrial tap dance, musical theatre and general silliness. Their previous theatre credits credits include Sasha in A Transgender Woman on the Internet Crying (Adelaide Cabaret Festival), The Bride of Frankenstein in Universal Monsters Live: Rock and Roll Show (Universal Studios Japan and Student/Cook in Innocence (State Opera SA). Issy has previously obtained a Diploma of Musical Theatre from WAAPA and is currently studying their Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Elder Conservatorium of Music. 'The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me: Issy Coomber' is their debut original work!

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