Review: THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2018 at Queens Theatre At The Lab

Reviewed by Petra Schulenburg, Saturday 24th February 2018.

Unlike the chaos theory behind the Butterfly Effect, The Hummingbird Effect is the idea that one moment of inspiration can lead to another and another. That chance encounters and unrelated events can unfold in unforeseen ways to change a person's life at the most fundamental level, unfolding to realise long-held dreams and ambitions and perhaps, on the way, to a self-knowledge previously held in check by fear and doubt.

The Hummingbird Effect is written and performed from the heart by Deborah Brennan, an Adelaide local who studied at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. Brennan began her musical and artistic career as a pianist and accompanist, until an unexpected phone call asked the question "Can you also sing?" The answer to that is an unequivocal, "Yes!".

Brennan's powerful singing voice and definitive style, rendered eloquent interpretations of songs by the likes of The Eurythmics, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Phil Collins, and The Church, her delivery of each song laying bare passion and pain, hope and love, vulnerability and a determined strength.

In between songs, Brennan's very personal story unfolds. She has been aptly described in previous reviews as 'enchanting' and her candid delivery tells an engaging tale, filled with emotion, but also an optimistic energy and humour.

The show was performed in the ambience of the Queens Theatre. It is a lofty space, made intimate by the focus on the stage of a regal grand piano, but the audience knows immediately that we are on a different journey here by the burning of incense and scattering of candles.

In closing, Brennan pointed out that not only can our lives be changed by The Hummingbird Effect, but that we ourselves can be this trigger in someone else's life. Without a doubt, Deborah Brennan will start more than one ripple of consequence, resonating in the lives of some of her audience, during the course of this and, hopefully, many more seasons and performances to come.

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