Avast (A Musical Without Music)

Blacklung Theatre, Hindley St
Tues 27 March
until Sat 31 March


"Avast" is a word used by sailors as a command to stop doing something or to ignore a previous order. The title to this musical without music is a subtle hint to what this show is going to contain, and I don't mean sailors. The final instalment from the crew at Blacklung contains all the great elements of the previous performances: high energy, confronting the audience, fast witty dialogue, insane characters and all performed as a tight ensemble. This time they are toying with the breakdown of the whole performance. All the classic theatrical mishaps occur, like forgetting your lines and needed prompting from your other actors, music cues in the wrong spot, egoistical actor hissy fits and finding last minute pathetic replacements. It's 'Noises Off'! Blacklung style! Just be aware of the anticlimactic ending.

If you're looking for what not to miss in this final week of the Adelaide Fringe I say get your ass down Hindley Street. The Blacklung Theatre crew manage to find amazing creative practitioners to generate the most interesting and collaborative performances. As a reviewer I've been very pleased with all their offerings and I'm so glad that they managed to bring so much talent over from Melbourne. Their future is one to watch.

Toni Main