Review by Neve Sargeant – Performance date: Tuesday 4 March 2025, Holden Street Theatres, Hindmarsh, South Australia
For the first time ever, the Adelaide Fringe Festival has been blessed with the talents of the Flinders Drama Centre with Gull (Or the Most Lamentable Comedie Called Love) running from March 1 to 9 and Shakespeare, First Love is the Revolution, running from March 4 to 9.
Taking place at the outbreak of the plague in 1665, the story follows a ‘banned from the stage’ breeches girl and boy-player who gate crash the mansion of a leading conservative and his vapid wife in a desperate bid to escape the city. But a libertine and pantomime dame have the same idea, and they’ll all have to battle it out in this epic night from hell.
The hard work and talent of these Bachelor of Performance (Honours) students is undeniable as they seamlessly tackled this outrageous piece of theatre. Each student, Shardae Santos, Isiah Macaspac, Liam Hennessy, Abigail McDougall, Hannah McGrath, and Alexander Karytinos, all delivered outstanding individual performances whilst also working together to create a dynamic ensemble, packed to the brim with commanding stage presence, commitment to absurdity and intelligence to strategically play with tragedy and comedy.
Christopher Hurrell’s direction found the perfect balance of whimsy, chaotic and simplicity to compliment the storyline so as to not distract nor overwhelm the audience. With very little set or props, Hurrell curated the perfect space to allowed Gull’s writing to speak for itself. Only enhancing, never hindering. A personal favourite was the xylophone glissando every time a curtain raised making me giggle each time.
Queer, trans, outrageous, vulgar and hilarious. Gull (Or the Most Lamentable Comedie Called Love) is a must see this Fringe season. Congratulations to all involved!
Saturday 01 March – Sunday 09 March 2025
The Arch at Holden Street Theatres
