BWW Reviews: ADELAIDE CABARET FRINGE FESTIVAL 2014: DIRTY THIRTY Megan Doherty Continues Her Journey of Discovery

Australian Première
Saturday 7 June 2014
Adelaide local Megan Doherty brings her next instalment of her personal growth to the stage with her new show DIRTY THIRTY.

Whilst this show is a little bit more live and loose due to last minute changes in show Doherty still brings her A game. The relaxed patter is a nice change from very scripted banter that other artists employ.

Starting with an endearing rendition of Matthew Robinson's The Girl Next Door Miss Doherty opens herself to show the goofy awkwardness that makes her so lovable. She connects perfectly with her audience and makes them comfortable whilst giving so much of herself.

As she works her way through an assortment of Cabaret standards and more obscure numbers she shares her own connection to the music and her interpretations are so personal so songs that are often known as signature songs for major artists are very much her own now. I've never seen someone so perfectly own songs made famous by Judy Garland, Kristin Chenoweth and Patti LuPone with her personalised interpretations. Unlike many new artists Miss Doherty maintains her own personality and sound, not succumbing to the American accents or mimicking others. Her range is incredible as is her flexibility to swap between a musical theatre "belt" to opera and jazz and the storytelling song of cabaret.

Miss Doherty's musical theatre training at University of Ballarat Arts Academy is evident in her ability to interpret songs and give them the worldlier understanding of maturity. Her rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow takes the meaning to a whole new level and tugs at the heart strings for a new reason than the nostalgia of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Her interpretation of Stephen Schwartz's Meadowlark shows an understanding of the song and tells the story rather than just sing a beautiful song. Miss Doherty is ably accompanied by Mark Stefanoff on keys.

There are two more shows in the season. Friday 13th June at 7pm and Saturday 14th June at 6pm.

http://www.cabaretfringefestival.com/
http://www.cabaretfringefestival.com/dirty-thirty/
Adelaide Fringe Festival 2014, Soul Box, Dirty Thirty, Megan Doherty

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