BWW Reviews: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2015: THE RUSSIANS OF BARCELONA Tells Of Hot Times With Hot Jazz

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Friday 13th February 2015

Sophia MacRae went for a short holiday to Spain, and stayed far longer then she had expected. This can be blamed on two factors: she took a saxophone along, on the off chance that she might get a chance to play, and she ran into a group of Russian jazz musicians. Neither of these sound like particularly life changing events in and of themselves but, putting the two together resulted in her joining their merry band and spending the next five years playing in Barcelona, and making a tour of Spain.

Her cabaret show, The Russians of Barcelona, recalls this part of her life and tells of the men in the band that she joined, Los Krokodillos Muy Internacionales, all of whom, it seems, were real characters. MacRae wrote the very comical script and all of the songs, both music and lyrics. This multitalented performer was joined by a three piece band, keyboards, drums and banjo/guitar, while she sang, and played clarinet, and alto and tenor saxophones.

The upstairs room at La Boheme, one of Adelaide's cosiest cocktail bar and cabaret entertainment venues, was packed solid with an audience eagerly awaiting the sequel to her successful recent cabaret show, From Barcelona to the Britannia. As the backing trio began playing, MacRae entered from the rear, slinking her way sensually through the audience to the stage, and then she was off and running through her hilarious tale of adventures and misadventures with her musical companions.

The clever lyrics introduce her quirky Russian friends in song, each dealt with comically, but with a clear sense of affection for her former colleagues and friends. By the time the performance is over, you will feel as though you know these Russian street musicians, and you'll have a desire for the wild social life of Barcelona. You'll also be a fan of Sophia MacRae.

The fun continues every Friday at 7pm during the Fringe, so you still have time to catch this production, but remember, this opening night was sold out, and her previous production during the Cabaret Festival sold out as well, so don't delay. While you are at it, book for her other Fringe show, Sounds Like A Story, this Thursday evening downstairs at La Boheme.

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