The Fringe Festival brings together many different types of performance, and during the first half of this year’s collection of shows was a very interesting piece called ‘Asian Ghost-ery Store’, created by members the comedy troupe ‘Only the Human’, and starring Shannan Lim and Vidya Rajan.
‘Asian Ghost-ery Store’ was a well-crafted and beautifully performed ode to living the lives of an Asian-Australian: from origins, to growing up, to the reflections of the now. Here was a show that was not afraid to be bold, and successfully and rightly so; tackling storytelling, sketch, idle conversation, and abstract performance in a commendable manner, achieving both humour and contemplation in just the right places.
The direction, approach to subject manner, and commitment to energy were fantastic, but it was the dynamic between the main players on stage that really made the piece engaging. There was a clear sign throughout the hour that Lim and Rajan collaborate together well, and know how to support and bring out the best in each other. A fair amount of the show feels casual, as though two friends are in a discussion, yet the audience is drawn in and very much taking in every word. The show varied its pace, bringing alive on the stage from time to time some performance pieces that were either laugh out loud hilarious, or horribly and deliberately uneasy.
This is fantastic gem of a show, from a troupe and a duo to keep an eye on in the future.
– Corey
Corey M. Glamuzina is a Melbourne-based actor, writer, improvisor and comedian with an avid involvement in the art of theatre and film.
‘Asian Ghost-ery Store’ runs 18-25 September, 10:30pm (60mins) at The Fringe Hub, Upstairs at Errol’s, with the exception of 9:30pm on the Sunday, and no show on the Monday. The venue is not accessible.
