Lindsay Prodea’s A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride
March 23, 2026
Review by Markus Hamence – Lindsay Prodea’s A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride – 2026 Adelaide Fringe. Performance date: Saturday 21 March 2026. Eliza Hall, City Of Prospect, Adelaide, South Australia.
A joyous homage to resilience, fabulousness, & the enduring power of music.
Winner of Pride Adelaide’s Event of the Year2025, join Lindsay Prodea and his stellar 4-piece band on a nostalgic journey, honouring the icons who sparked change with their unforgettable anthems. Featuring timeless hits from Madonna, Garland, Elton, Gaga, Dolly, Benatar, Freddie, andmany more!
From the secret language of Polari and the golden age of music, through to the disco revolution of the 70’s and your favourite camp hits, get ready to sing along to an unforgettable showcase of songs and stories.
I’m slipping on my ruby slipper and finding the rainbow of colours in the show…
Presented by Adelaide boys Matthew Liersch & Lindsay Prodea, this was a reflective celebration in song and there’s always something wildly disarming about a show that feels like both a glitter-soaked party and a quiet, knowing conversation at the same time – and that’s exactly where Lindsay Prodea lands with A Friend of Dorothy’s: Anthems of Pride. It doesn’t march in with ego; it arrives with presence, then slowly wraps itself around the room until you realise you’re completely inside its world. Prodea is a natural, shimmering and confident light on stage.
“Prodea is a natural, shimmering and confident light on stage…”
Markus Hamence
Prodea has that rare ability to make a cabaret feel lived-in rather than performed. Every lyric feels like it’s travelled through him before reaching us, every transition laced with a sense of intention rather than filler. The anthems themselves (well chosen) – those iconic, emotionally loaded tracks that have long been stitched into queer culture – are delivered with both polish and personality, never slipping into imitation. Instead, they’re reframed, re-felt and in moments, completely re-owned.
Cher, Madonna, Gaga, Kylie, Garland, Kermit and a plethora more get a solid look in. And sing-a-long? YES WE DO!
Vocally, it’s not about showing off (though he absolutely could). It’s about connection. There’s grit and depth where it counts, softness where it matters and a kind of emotional elasticity that lets each song breathe differently. One moment you’re caught in a slow-burn reflection, the next you’re lifted into something joyous and unfiltered. It’s that constant shift – never predictable, always honest – that keeps the show pulsing and glitter bombing.
“Vocally, it’s not about showing off (though he absolutely could). It’s about connection…”
Markus Hamence
What hits hardest isn’t just the music, but the in-between. The stories, the glances, the perfectly timed humour that cuts through any heaviness before it settles too deep. There’s a generosity to Prodea’s presence – he shares the spotlight with the audience, creating a space that feels inclusive without ever spelling it out. You’re not being told to feel something; you just… do.
The band (Led by Adelaide re-known Peter Johns) leans into that energy beautifully, never overpowering, always in sync, yet, attempting to keep Lindsay on track, but, failing. There’s a looseness to the sound that gives the show its heartbeat – organic, responsive and alive in the moment.
By the time the final notes land with a banging mash-up, it’s less about applause and more about a shared exhale. A Friend of Dorothy’s doesn’t scream for attention – it earns it, quietly and confidently, through truth, tone and a whole lot of soul, glitz and campness.
One of those Fringe nights that lingers long after you’ve stepped back out into the Adelaide air as you scramble to find the ultimate gay Spotify play-list.
