Review by Greg Gorton
I must admit I’m a sucker for a good late-night cabaret. I mean who doesn’t enjoy some music, some dancing, and a whole lot of laughter? Hit n Hope certainly has all three, the last one so much it might be dangerous for your health.
Hit n Hope: A Character Cabaret is the brainchild of Sugar Bits, a comedy group consisting of Nicola Pohl, Tessa-Marie Luminati, and Stephanie Beza. The show has a simple theme - the frustrations of dating men, and the ridiculous creatures they are. The performers lament the one-night stand who turned out to be a kleptomaniac, the “feminist” who made sure everyone knew he was, and the insecure specimen who pulled out a ruler just to prove a point. There are songs about the benefits of STDs, and a rousing rhythmic piece that exists almost entirely for a single, brilliant, joke.
The writing of this cabaret is quintessentially Australian. Many of the skits would feel quite at home in the long history our country has with the medium, while some of the songs remind me of other musical comedy geniuses like Garfunkel and Oates. While some jokes may not be for everyone, it would be extremely difficult to find anything to take offence at, and any moment that might require a little improv may just end up being the funniest moment of the night. There is an attempt at a narrative throughline, though it is clear that even the group realise it is almost entirely unnecessary.
As performers, all three creatives bring something unique to the table; Pohl has an innate ability to control a crowd with a single facial twitch, while Luminati can turn any mistake into a moment that elevates the show. Beza, who appears to take the role of keeping the whole production on track, has a commanding presence, while all three on stage together have a chemistry that is clearly built on high levels of trust and respect.
While you can expect audience participation at Hit n Hope to be high, these seasoned performers have a keen sense of who wants to be involved, and are quick to respect any and all boundaries. Feel safe in the front row, even if you don’t want to be called out. If you are adventurous, however, you will have the time of your life placing yourself in their hands.
This is a loud show, and so it was great to hear they have a low-sensory performance on Thursday night, and the frenetic pace means this late-night romp feels like anything but a drag. Hit n Hope is one of those shows everyone will be talking about long after Fringe is over, and it would be a pity if anyone missed the opportunity to be a part of that conversation.
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