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Hit n Hope: A Character Cabaret - Melbourne Fringe Festival (2024)
Created and Performed by Sugar Bits. Produced by Nicola Pohl. In Association with Oliver Cowen and Elliot Coleman
Hilarious non-stop character exploration from the feminine perspective of dates we'd rather have avoided
Hit n Hope: A Character Cabaret
Presented by Sugar Bits Comedy
The Motley Bauhaus (Cabaret Stage), Carlton
Self-promoted as “feminist trash” I will admit I went into Hit n Hope: A character cabaret with some trepidation. Having attended comedy and fringe shows in the past where the feminist perspective ends up being 50mins of unnecessary and unfunny statement/jokes/skits about (insert negative word) men, I'm trepidatious of shows that feels more about having a self-affirming audience to air the performer's life grievances.
However I need-not have worried when in the hands of Sugar Bits comedy trio Nicola Pohl, Tessa Luminati and Stephanie Beza with their latest offering. The trio has created a clever and highly comedic feminist-style commentary on the difficulties and challenges of being in the modern dating scene and some of the ridiculous traits or personalities they have come across.
From the start the fourth wall is broken, and they handle the uncertainty of audience participation with ease with strong comedic replies, finding out what type of fish are in their audience and using this reference to start their show telling us there’s “plenty of fish in the sea”… there’s no ambiguity what this cabaret is addressing.
Pohl, Luminati and Beza put all their skills on full display, with each performer bringing something individual to the table, when combined the clear chemistry between the three results in a hilarious relatable sixty minute show, beautifully written so as not to insult but give comedic insight and reflection.
Beza takes control of the show with rich vocals and a stage presence to match; Luminati and Pohl have excellent skill in bringing to the forefront improv and physical comedy, with audiences squealing in laughter as they parody the modern male. They lament the kleptomaniac from the perspective of a stolen singing toothbrush and Tupperware container; the insecure date who used a ruler to prove a point; and finally a date that has potential only to be ghosted.
The trio use clever physical performances to help move the show along, and weave in more general topics such as STDs, from a 1930s radio sale jingle to the idea of the childhood handclapping game turning into an impressive energetic tap and hand slapping routine.
Character Cabaret in the right hands is a fabulous and comfortable way to explore more in depth themes whilst engaging varieties of performance art. With something relatable to everyone, Hit n Hope: A Character Cabaret presented by Sugar Bits Comedy is a hilarious non-stop character exploration from the feminine perspective of those dates and personalities that, only in retrospect, are we grateful to have avoided!
@sugarbitscomedy
About Sugar Bits
Hot from their critically acclaimed debut tour, Sugar Bits is a freshly baked batch of players, lightly seasoned with sublime silliness, who are raucous, sugary sweet and only slightly scary to the average straight man. While their title is new, the group is not! They have been performing and writing together since their uni days and their bits have only gotten more delicious. Expect Physical Theatre, Clowning and powerhouse Music Theatre numbers. You’re in safe (slightly sticky) hands as they guide you through a zesty and spicy evening that will still leave a sweet taste lingering in your mouth.Recipients of the 2024 Adelaide Fringe Fund.
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