★★★★★
Adelaide Fringe. The Arch - Holden Street Theatres. 18 Feb 2023
It’s his eighth Fringe show. He keeps doing it until he gets it right. Will this be the last one? He seems to have got it very right indeed.
This most recent of Goers afternoon shows for the oldies is as slick as can be. He has fresh old patter, fresh ancient anecdotes and a really fresh grand finale. OK, it’s too late for spoilers. He introduces his new character of Miss Dawn Service. Well, his special guest stars, Anne “Willsy” Wills and her sister Susan, introduce Dawn as their little sister. Of course, Dawn in fishnets and heels towers over them and shimmers in ruby red rhinestones, tassels, and giant costume jewellery.
The Wills gals have arrived on stage like glittering fur balls, wearing an effusion of feathers shot with gold and silver; uber-bling on steroids. And from that way over-the-top appearance, the sisters sing really sweet and soft harmonies, swaying gently from side to side. They hark back to the days of performing for the troops in Vietnam, flourishing a Prue Acton mini dress of the day, and make a delicious embellishment to the retro nature of the Goers shows.
Goers’ Fringe shows have a pretty ardent following of fans who are ever charmed by his old-school tradition of meeting one and all as they leave the theatre.
Old school really covers it.
Goers smothers his audiences in nostalgia, evoking sighs and guffaws of recognition. Lots of healthy self-deprecation does not go awry.
It’s all a bit of a love-in.
Samela Harris
When: 18 Feb to 19 Mar
Where: The Arch – Holden Street Theatres
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Editor’s Note: Samela is a friend and fan of Peter Goers and appears on his Sunday Show Smart Arts segment on Adelaide’s Radio 891.
