Andrew G.’s reacts

Extremely heavy on audience participation, with what happens dependent on the vibe the crowd gives the titular doctor as she demonstrates her unorthodox healing practices. What we got was a gloriously raunchy and vulgar show, culminating with Medicine Woman portraying her bitter hymen. But this isn't a shallow show. There was a deeper meaning behind it all, an expression of exploring trauma and healing ourselves so we can keep finding the joy in life. Highly recommended!

A one-man performance, The Art of Storm-Whistling is a fantastical tale about a journey across the ocean to find a lost uncle, while encountering beings from legend and folklore along the way. The way it's told is so evocative and immersive, making it feel it's you yourself on the adventure surviving dangers and meeting mythical creatures. With an ending celebrating life as an adventure, The Art of Storm-Whistling is a must-see for fans of European folklore.

Featuring a plot involving a group of scientists experimenting with the titular elixirs, it basically leads to a group of buff boys doing death-defying stunts. But! As gasp-inducing as the acrobatics and tricks are, it's the personality and presentation that really makes this show, featuring impeccable comic timing. This is a comedy as much as it is a circus show, and it's phenomenal at being both. And yes, there is a moment where they dance to Thriller.

This started out normal. A musical comedy about the Pokémon Charizard, and the host's lifelong quest to find a rare holographic version of its card. But then he opened a single, sealed pack of cards and started going through the contents... and found a holographic Charizard. The show completely went off the rails from there, and the remainder of the show was watching him have a break down on stage which ended with everyone sing-screaming CHARIZARD. I was glad to have witnessed it.

With beautiful poetry about love, dreams, nightmares, and time, performer Praise Mangena takes us to bewitching, relatable places from our past and our fantasies. Every line she speaks has a captivating sense of gravitas which is simply hypnotising. Mangena is accompanied by dreamy guitar played live, helping us fall even deeper into these realities. If her physical stage presence wasn't so powerful, I would have closed my eyes and drifted into these visions she creates for us.

An absurdist comedy about a performer who grabs a wooden hand from an IKEA shelf. Unfortunately, that hand belonged to Pinocchio and he's intent on taking over her body. Zola Allen milks the wooden hand for pretty much every joke possible, both in unexpected and also corny (but fun) ways. Things take a twisted turn as Pinocchio begins to force her to tell the audience secrets that she would rather keep under wraps. A truly unique, strange comedy with something to say.

Told via theatre, song, and puppetry, the tale is performed with such enthusiasm and charm as we learn of Bob's life. Mostly based on known fact (with a few admitted moments of creative liberties), it's a fascinating historical tale. Loved by all who encountered him in life, and even by those who only heard tales of him, it's a testament to the joy dogs bring us. A joyous celebration of man's best friend, if you love dogs, trains, and/or history, this is a show to see.

Sometimes I'll go to a Fringe show and quickly realise I'm not the target audience. This happened at Nervous Breakdance when it became evident it was a comedy show definitely for women, even moreso middle-aged women. Even moreso moreso unhinged middle-aged women. Despite this, I still had a fun time! Sure, I couldn't relate to the songs about menopause, or gynecologists, but Kate Corley's energetic and borderline offensive, wonderfully twisted humour kept me entertained.

Hosted by British comedian and historian Paul Coulter, he's basically the coolest, funnest history teacher you'll ever have. He tells us five stories in which people made sometimes small, sometimes colossal errors that changed the course of history. My favourite from this year's show was about a man who was catfished into thinking he was dating the queen of France. Told with incredible passion and enthusiasm, if you have an interest in history then this show comes highly recommended!

Hosted by Kevin Kopfstein, he shows off his collection of haunted objects (or hauntiques), each accompanied with chilling stories expertly told. The stories are all based in fact, though creative liberties are obviously taken. The magic itself is demonstrated with the help of these hauntiques, as Kopfstein explores witchcraft, spirit photography, and ghost visitations. Despite the brooding atmosphere, Kopfstein's priority is to entertain and dazzle the audience, which he accomplishes with ease.

A beautiful story told via spoken word, music, and an exquisitely decorated dollhouse. Centering on a young woman who's lost in life, she visits her grandfather and his home which contains cherished childhood memories. As they watch a meteor shower together, the town becomes littered with space rock which sparks an obsession for the grandfather. A spectacularly told human story about what places mean to us, and would still captivate even without the slow reveal of each room in the dollhouse.

The Mirror is one of the most sexy, sensual, and cheeky display of acrobatics I've seen. And I mean cheeky... so many butts! Featuring moody, slow covers of pop songs spectacularly sung live and dark, atmospheric lighting, The Mirror explores themes of self-image. There are of course sensational displays of human strength (so many different human pyramids!) but also genuinely funny moments to go along with the more sultry scenes. Simply a stunning, saucy show!