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Fringe Review: Felicity Ward – The Iceberg

A show about perception: an iceberg is all about what’s going on underneath the surface of the water, it changes depending on your position in relation to it.


Fringe2015-FelicityWard
Presented by Laughing Stock Productions
Reviewed 24 February 2015

Felicity Ward is only performing at the Adelaide Fringe for one week. That means that time is rapidly running out for you to see what is, quite possibly, her most solid and hilarious show to date.

Felicity Ward’s The Iceberg is a show about perception: an iceberg is all about what’s going on underneath the surface of the water, it changes depending on your position in relation to it.  The show is about critical examination of the self, and the people and world around us. In The Iceberg, Ward is seeking out answers, coming to realisations about what things are really like and forcing us to do the same.

It sounds like heavy stuff, right? In a way, it is.

Throughout the show Ward tackles issues such as the current mess of Australian politics, racism, women’s rights and the constant struggles that feminists face (especially online – a story about which brought the audience to stunned silence), as well as briefly touching on ideas surrounding mental health.

The show is funny however, precisely because Ward isn’t afraid of cutting deep, and fearlessly ripping apart the various lies we tell ourselves to make the uncomfortable truths about our society comfortable. In a show that is all about perception and understanding, Ward’s gaze upon Australian culture (and herself – she doesn’t let herself off easily here) is unflinchingly honest and ridiculously funny.

What’s fantastic about The Iceberg, despite the heavy content, is Ward’s ability to maintain a sense of irreverent fun throughout. Thanks to her charm, brilliant use of physical comedy and warmth, the show never feels like a lecture: Ward is as silly as she is incisive. She gets the balance just right.

No matter which way you look at it, The Iceberg is a fantastic show. This is intelligent, fast-paced fun from a comedian who is undeniably at the top of her game. See it as soon as you can, because it’s likely that her incredibly limited run is going to sell out fast.

Reviewed by Anthony Nocera
Twitter: @anthonynocera21

Venue: Garden of Unearthly Delights – Studio 7, Rymill Park, Adelaide
Season: 23 February – 1 March 2015
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $27- $30
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)

 

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