Tayla in Oz - 8 out of 10
Tayla Alexander
TICKETS: Tayla in Oz | Adelaide Fringe
Tayla in Oz is a brand-new cabaret that Tayla Alexander uses to tell us her story of immigration from SA to SA; or to be more specific: Johannesburg to Adelaide. Leaning into the Aus/Oz dynamic, Alexander weaves songs from the two largest musical adaptations of The Wizard of Oz with a token song from The Wiz thrown in for good measure. The result is a cabaret that is structurally sound, open and honest, and executed with genuine skill.
Alexander has crafted a compelling narrative out of her
immigration journey. Focusing on such a specific sliver of life requires
self-awareness, and she has it in spades. With over 30% of Australians having
been born overseas, she has created a show that will undoubtedly resonate with
a broad audience. Her song choices – mostly abridged and featuring witty new
lyrics – are tied intimately to her personal story. Though there were a few
vocal inconsistencies in this particular performance, her voice is clearly
built for the stage. Her patter is tight and flows so naturally that the music
feels like a logical extension of her conversation. Her comparison of South
African ‘Freezos’ to Starbucks is perhaps the only moment that feels 'lost in
translation.' It’s a brave parallel to draw for an Adelaide audience, most of
whom would likely tell her that equating a beloved home comfort to the 'green
siren' suggests she hasn't yet been introduced to the local specialty coffee
scene.
The final third of the show is where Alexander really leads
with vulnerability: discussing her struggles with an anxiety disorder, the
deferral her musical theatre degree and the loss of her grandmother. She tells
these moments with an honesty that grounds the show without making the audience
feel uncomfortable.
Tayla Alexander’s debut professional cabaret is a
well-polished and deeply personal work. While the influence of collaborators
like Peter Johns on keys and Millicent Sarre as a mentor is evident in the
show's high production value, the performance remains 100% Tayla Alexander. I
hope she gets the opportunity to tour this show to the East coast.
–Scott
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