With sparkly dresses, neon shades and stunning harmonies, Meadowlark return to Fringe with a new greatest hits playlist. Bourby Webster is caught up in the heat of the moment.
Reviews/Fringe World Festival/Music
A cappella queens get the party started
5 February 2023
- Reading time • 4 minutesFringe World Festival
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A Cappella Dance Party, Meadowlark
The Sewing Room, 4 February 2023
It is a relief to enter The Sewing Room for Meadowlark’s latest Fringe offering and find it fully air-conditioned on one of the hottest nights of the year so far.
A great crowd, ranging from 20-somethings to grandparents, are milling around waiting for the award-winning female vocalists and their drummer to treat us with their latest a cappella arrangements of classic pop hits.
The curtain drops to reveal three sparkly clad singers in retro eyeshades illuminated with neon frames, and drummer Danica Brooks behind them. The opening moments of Cher’s classic “Believe“ are spinetingling. It is always a relief for me to hear great harmonies that are balanced and in tune, and the vocals of Stephanie Gooch (also a charismatic and authentic host), Kate Humphries and Sophie Rogers resonate beautifully together.
I thought I’d miss the lack of a bass element and there are moments I can imagine the value of a fourth vocalist on stage, adding a little oomph to the a cappella sound and balancing the three higher voices. However, the arrangements (many written by the performers) are clever and keep the energy going.
The audience lap it up. Encouraged to hit the dance floor, they are singing every word and relaxing more as the evening progresses. The set list is fabulous – from the Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited” to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”, and ABBA’s “Mamma Mia” to Britney Spears’ “Oops I Did It Again”, it is a banging night of hits.
A highlight for the crowd is “Nutbush City Limits” by Ike and Tina Turner, turning the entire room into a dancing flashmob. The Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” is also a winner.
Additional production elements, such as holding up boards with the lyrics printed on them and having props such as Chiko Rolls to match slightly altered lyrics (“Mamma Mia, Chiko Roll Again”), are all well thought through and executed. A Cappella Dance Party is well-conceived and professionally delivered.
“A good Fringe show to start your Saturday night,” my friend remarks as we walk out into the hot night, feeling energised from all the singing. Judging from the smiles on the faces of everyone around us, they all think so too.
Pictured top: Meadowlark, in all their sparkly glory, win over the audience with classic hits. Photo supplied
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