Adelaide Fringe 2011 Review: The Damsel in Shining Armour
Monday, March 7, 2011 at 11:36PM 
The Damsel in Shining Armour
Starring: Sophie Walsh-Harrington
Accompanist: Matthew Carey
Nexus Gallery
Fringe Festivals always offer a mixed bag of shows – you win some, and you lose some, especially with the lesser-known kooky acts. But when you win, you can win BIG. The Damsel in Shining Armour is one of those surprising, unexpected discoveries.
Sophie Walsh-Harrington has written this wacky tale of a neurotic melodrama queen (direction by Tom Dickins and music direction by Jennifer Kingwell of The Jane Austen Argument), featuring music of Celine Dion in the funniest way possible. She is a consummate performer and has a great flair for comedy. She superbly pulls off this edgy, clever cabaret at Nexus Gallery - a well-chosen intimate venue.
Her sharp wit and off-beat humour, superhuman comedic timing and delivery as well as astute direction drive the show. Clad in a hideous 80’s electric-blue cocktail dress, Walsh-Harrington still manages to look irresistibly sexy. And boy, can she sing! The show moves in frenetic pace and her accompanist Matthew Carey doesn’t miss a beat.
The multi-talented Walsh-Harrington pulls out all stops - she has us all in giggles and hysterical laugher the entire time with her portrayal of an intense, overwrought basket case of a love-obsessed young woman and draws us all completely into her story. And at the finale, we even get to help make her feel like a great star that she is.
For 60 minutes of non-stop flurry of fun and something different, do yourself a favour - go see this refreshingly quirky and hilarious show.
The Damsel in Shining Armour’s Adelaide Fringe 2011 season continues until 12th of March. For more information and booking details, click here.
Reviewed by Lena Nobuhara
Associate Editor, Cabaret Confessional
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