All Grown Up (but not really) - 9 out of 10
Billie-Rose Russell
TICKETS: All Grown Up (but not really) | Adelaide Fringe
Billie-Rose Russell’s All Grown Up (but not really) invites us to hit rewind and dive back into childhood with an energetic, dream-filled cabaret overflowing with audience participation. This is delightful, well-organised chaos—a joyful reminder to embrace your inner kid at any age.
The stage is dressed like a childhood bedroom, bursting with
colourful props and secret corners hiding surprises yet to come. Born in 2001,
Billie-Rose crafts the ultimate nostalgia playlist from Hilary Duff’s “What
Dreams Are Made Of” and the Rugrats theme, to Simple Plan’s “I’m Just a Kid,”
wrapping things up with a nostalgic nod to Miley Cyrus’ “You’ll Always Find
Your Way Home.” A few cheeky lyric tweaks keep the crowd on their toes, giving
ABBA and Belinda Carlisle a playful, personal spin.
The Jade is the perfect setting: a whimsical, fairy-lit
space that dissolves the line between audience and performer. With a mostly
female crowd, what better way to celebrate International Women’s Day – the vibe
was pure joy and connection. Teddy bears are welcome guests and encouraged (BYO
or borrow from Billie’s cuddle collection), and each seat came with a mystery
envelope begging to be opened at just the right moment.
The show beautifully stitches together moments from Billie’s
childhood—making friends at school, visiting the toy shop, navigating tuck shops
and lunch orders and Tamagotchis, and of course, the school disco. There’s a
lot packed into this 60-minute nostalgia trip, but it never feels rushed—just
full of heart, laughter, and glittery energy. There is plenty of audience participation,
with one activity getting us to get to know another stranger in the audience;
and later, a game of pass-the-parcel!
Glowsticks and stickers at the finale seal the deal. This is
a feel-good flashback worth setting an alarm for. Billie-Rose Russell is a
fresh, fearless talent lighting up The Jade. With one show left on Sunday 15
March at 11am, it’s the perfect excuse to grab your teddy and time-travel back
to the simpler, sillier days.
- Andrew Broadbent
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