Emma

Jodie Stubbs in WOMAN: It’s a Mother of a Cabaret Tuesday 26 February to Sunday 3 March, 7:20pm Packing healthy home-made school lunches, reading bedtime stories, taking the kids to extra curricular activities, running your own business, attempting to work part time, lunch with the girlfriends, date nights….. The struggle of being a mum and trying to have it all. Sometimes it’s a blast and sometimes it’s a total cluster f*uck! Jodie Stubbs WOMAN is a hilarious comedy cabaret about mothers trying to have it all Adelaide – Sydney cabaret performer, Jodie Stubbs, will make her Adelaide Fringe debut with her hilarious cabaret, WOMAN at Gluttony. Having received rave reviews in Sydney and Melbourne, WOMAN takes you on a humorous journey of what it is to be a mother, career woman, wife and cabaret chanteuse as Jodie attempts to get through a 60-minute show without having to check on the kids. “Welcome to my show about what it is the be an estrogen producing, child bearing, ovulating female of the species. Aren’t you glad you came boys?” Co-written with award winning director and performer, Tyran Parke, WOMAN was originally intended to explore the changing roles of women through the ages. However, during rehearsals the busy mother-of-two was so consistently interrupted by her family, the pair decided to include these interruptions in the show. On the phone to her babysitter mid-show: “Give Gracie the iPad and break open the emergency Cadbury. Desperate times call for desperate measures and at this point I really don’t care.” The show’s co-writer, Mr Tyran Parke explains, “Creating this show with Jodie was madness. Sometimes she’d tell her family she was going to the shops but was actually sneaking away to sit in her car to rehearse in peace, singing to me on Skype. “We kept trying to wrangle a show under these circumstances until I realised this WAS the show! This hilarious struggle of Jodie trying to balance her family life while realising her dream – and the guilt that went with it – there was just so much raw humour and emotion, we knew it would resonate with a lot of people.” Jodie Stubbs, the show’s co-creator, performer and mother of two said she’s thrilled with the show’s reception so far and can’t wait to bring it to Adelaide Fringe. “I’ve been absolutely blown away by the positive feedback for WOMAN – particularly from other mothers. I think it’s because it touches on something so real; this feeling that many mothers struggle with, of being torn between doing something for themselves – whether that be a passion or career or simply time alone – and being present for their families. “This show is really about acknowledging those contradicting emotions and having a laugh about it. Because let’s face it, we’re all in the same boat. We’re all just trying to do our best, but I don’t think anyone feels like they’re getting it quite right.” Jodie will be performing WOMAN at The Bally at Gluttony from Tuesday 26 February to Sunday 3 March. Provided she can arrange babysitting, that is. SHOW DATES Adelaide Fringe – The Bally at Gluttony Rymill Park / Mullawirraburka, Corner of East Terrace and Rundle Rd Tuesday 26 February to Sunday 3 March, 7:20pm Tickets available via Adelaide Fringe

Arj Barker ‘We Need To Talk’ Adelaide Fringe, Arts Theatre, 21 Feb – 2 March Once a young, single, comedy hot-shot Arj Barker is now married and finding more and more of those random grey hairs. This leads him to change his tune in ‘We Need To Talk’. Crude sexual innuendoes are fewer, while the ‘ball and chain’ jokes are plentiful. Barker’s stage presence comes with the ease of a well oiled machine. It is clear he is a seasoned veteran in comedy. His self deprecating, jaded and cynical approach to life is somehow charming and like all good comedy… relatable. The biggest roars of laughter and giggles in the audience came from a group of female audience members, who were presumably on a girls night away from their husbands and kids. One could presume this from their uncontrollable laughing reaction to anything marriage or children related mentioned by Barker. An unprecedented amount of time is spent on Barker’s traditional “merch” spiel, however this is somehow skilfully made acceptable via his forgivable, tongue in cheek charm and hilarious, welcomed audience interaction. Evidently it was also very effective when considering the lengthy que for the ‘sticker packs of wisdom’ post show. All round, Barker’s cynical and sarcastic skits and hilarious, because they are brutally honest. A show that is both engaging and entertaining, especially for those who are married or looking for a bit of comic relief from their own personal midlife crisis. Tickets available via adelaidefringe.com.au

Marawa Ibrahim ‘The Girls Guide’ Book Event Tuesday 19 February 6:00pm – 7:00pm Seven-times world record holder Marawa Ibrahim was once told she didn’t have what it takes to be a performer. Today, she holds world records for the most hoops spun by an individual and the fastest 100 metres in high-heeled skates. Marawa works with hundreds of young women around the world through her award-winning hula-hoop troupe, The Majorettes. Along side the World Premier of her cabaret box of tricks show ‘Quality Novelty’, Marawa Ibrahim brings to Adelaide the exclusive Australian launch of her book ‘The Girl’s Guide’, packed with lessons about growing up, and the changes Marawa once experienced in her own body when becoming a women. Join her for a celebratory book signing, filled with all things fun (may or may not include hula hoops). Location: the Braggs Lecture Theatre is located in the new Braggs Building on the North Terrace campus, close to Victoria Drive and is adjacent to the Maths Lawns and facing the Barr Smith Lawns. The entrance to the Theatre is located on the ground floor at the front entrance. BOOK YOUR FREE EVENT TICKETS HERE  Tickets to Quality Novelty available here  RCC FRINGE 

Super Mum Amelia Ryan is Returning to Adelaide Fringe with Two More Must-See Shows Simply The Breast and 80’s Baby are two shows any comedy loving parent must-see at this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival. Buckle up those baby seats and enjoy the ride as Amelia Ryan, cabaret’s princess of parody takes you on an honest journey of comic relief, through childhood and motherhood. After selling out houses with ‘The Breast Is Yet To Come’, ‘A Storm in A D Cup’ and ‘Lady Liberty, Livvy & Pete’ Amelia is returning to Adelaide Fringe with all the best (breast) bits from all of them. We chatted to Amelia to see what she has been up to since last year and what we can expect this time around: It’s been a year since we last spoke to you, tell us about your new tour: I’ve got two new shows under my belt this year. For the Mama’s (and brave Dads), I’ve got ‘Simply The Breast’; a ‘best of’ featuring my favourite bits from all of my shows to date. It’s a good way to get the highlights reel, plus I’ve snuck a bunch of new motherhood material in for good measure (because let’s face it, motherhood dishes out the comedy gold!). I’m also really excited because this year, I’ve created a show for the kids! I wanted to do something I could take my 15 month old son Archie along to, so I’ve put together a singalong, dance-along show called 80s Baby! It features (you guessed it) all of the hits we danced along to back in the 80s. From WHAM! to Kylie Minogue, to Aussie favorites Peter Coombe, Don Spencer and the Tinlids. I’ve got a 3 piece band on stage with me, so it’s a great live music experience for the little ones, and it really is a joy to perform because the music is so fun! So wear your colourful 80s best and bring your dancing shoes, because you’ll be on your feet from start to finish! What can we expect this year that we didn’t see last year? Last years show was all about pregnancy…the good, bad and downright painful. This year, I’m taking my favourite bits from all of my shows, and sharing the full story; from childhood to motherhood. You’ll hear stories ranging from exotic dancing on table tops to exhaustedly cleaning up foods slops, from sordid Las Vegas romps, to sleepy late-night lactation, from growing up in a very ‘modern family’ to settling down and creating my own family. It’s an honest, relatable and hilarious celebration of womanhood and the constant quest for self-betterment. Basically if you’ve ever made questionable choices during #winetime, have a family that’s more ‘Kardashian’ then Brady Bunch, or lay awake at night wondering WTF has happened to your boobs (or pelvic floor) post-children (honestly though, where do they go?), then this one’s for you! How has mum life been treating you? I love Mum life. Though it’s completely exhausting and consuming, it keeps me present and grounded and the love is unparalleled What I find most difficult however, is combining Mum life with actual life. As Archie gets older, and his needs are greater (food, routine, stimulation, stability etc), I’ve had to reassess what we can all manage. I found it easier when he was younger and all he needed was a boob and a bed! I’ve really struggled with the balance over the past 6 months if I’m honest, but that’s motherhood, right? A constant learning curve. Is your bubs coming touring with you this time? I’ve had to make some fairly tough calls to leave Archie at home with his Dad this year. I head to Melbourne for 5 days next week, and then Perth for 7 days a few weeks later. The anxiety of leaving him is killing me! But, we have to prioritise both his needs for stability and my own mental health. Between the cost of touring the whole family and also premiering two new shows, we had to make the call for me to fly solo. It will either work or it won’t, and we’ll then be informed to make different decisions for next time. I’m learning that sometimes you can’t actual ‘do it all’! What is the secret to juggling mum life and showbiz life? Support, support, and support. I have a very supportive and understanding fiancé, and I’ve been extremely lucky that my Mum retired in 2017. She’s been able to tour with us, or come and stay when we’re in ‘peak season’. She lives in NSW, but comes over regularly. I NEVER take this for granted and am extremely grateful. We also have very supportive family and friends here in Adelaide. I write, perform and produce my own shows, so like many busy Mama’s, my day can start at 6am when Archie wakes and finish at 12am when I finish my daily to-do list. It’s a constant hustle that feels never ending. We also just need to be really organised (still working on this one) and actively schedule in times of the year where I won’t take on any gigs. The family needs some down time! What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Adelaide Fringe? Without a doubt being able to dress up in crazy 80s clothes! Oh…and giving the Mama’s a well deserved girls night out, with a wine and a good laugh during Simply The Breast. Amelia has two shows at the Fringe – Simply The Breast and Amelia Ryan’s 80’s Baby – tickets are available at adelaidefringe.com.au ameliaryan.com

Festival + Family = Fun Straight out of the eating, drinking and socialising haze of the Festive Season comes the eating, drinking and socialising haze of the Festival Season. Welcome ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, to Frantic February and Mad March, where I will attempt to perform my own magic tricks to stop my little ones saying, “I’m bored” and stop my teen binge-watching Brooklyn 99 by dazzling them with the fun-filled family adventure that is exploring the offerings of the Adelaide Fringe. How lucky are we that our hometown plays host to Australia’s biggest and most successful open access arts festival? We can see some of the biggest names in comedy, catch a sexy cabaret show on a night out with the grown-ups or just stroll through the Garden of Unearthly Delights, Gluttony and the RCC and pick a show for the kids. I want my children to grow up exposed to and appreciative of the kind of culture and art that has to be experienced outside the confines of a screen in the palm of their hands. So, how do I choose what we see? Well, I’ll be honest, the suitability and age- appropriateness of some of my selections has been determined by trial and error over the years. Some of the errors include taking the teen to an otherwise harmless performance that included a flash of full frontal male nudity. I think my speedy parental reflexes managed to cover her eyes just in time. I was very thorough in my examination of when it was safe for her to resume watching because I take supervision seriously. (Best also to be careful when selecting shows with puppetry in the title, if you get my drift.) I must also confess that some mildly offensive language has slipped through my strict parenting net, but given I have been known to swear like a sailor on rare occasions (very rare occasions when I am under extreme mental duress like performing any form of housework) my little ruffians did not raise an eyebrow. You know what you could try? Take the family to see a magician/illusionist and see if they can make you vanish for just enough time to allow you to sneak out and grab a rosè and a bowl of carbs. Rest-assured, I do also consult the section of the Fringe guide that’s pitched specifically at young and impressionable audiences. For example, I enjoy exposing my flexibility- challenged offspring to child circus performers to encourage them to, at the very least, persevere with learning how to do a cartwheel, use a hula- hoop, or perform a dif cult balancing act on an unstable tightrope of emotion to equip them for the challenges of adulthood. Or one of the many choral and musical shows on offer may provide you and your family with an unique opportunity to raise your voices together in song rather than frustration. During festival season, Womad is another wonderful way to expose your children to peace and harmony. My kids love experiencing the sounds of world music and the smells of exotic food, although it’s the chocolate-filled donuts that always seem to be the aroma most enticing for them. Tickets aren’t cheap but the entertainment is world-class (hence the name), kids under 12 get in for free and there are discounts for under 18s. And if you, the small people, or the other half are suffering from Festival fatigue or are more into the sports than the arts, don’t despair, the Superloop Adelaide 500 and the return of footy season are just around the corner. Happy Festival families!