Julz Burgisser
I went to a comedy show tonight that not only made me laugh big snorting laughs, but also made me question my life, made me cry as I remembered my mother, and reignited my desire to do something more than just what I do everyday until I retire or die. Though I was a complete stranger, I hugged that comic hard. That comic was Alice Fraser and her show is Savage.
This is Fraser's first time in New Zealand and she's excited to bring to us her second ever one hour solo. The show started with a warning; darkness lies here within, and that if we didn’t laugh at it then we would be in the wrong. She’s right, when sadness has already been and gone all that’s left is to find the bright through the dark. This show is Fraser’s bringing of light. It’s a moving tribute to her mother and a show that questions faith, love and death. But mostly it’s a show about life, opportunities, moments and choices. It’s about how we choose to view ourselves, how we choose to view others, what kind of belief we have and whether we do life better than others.
From disastrous Ted-X talks to meeting Dick again at the absolute worst (or best) time, the stories are well-crafted to bring the laughter and ease the tension that builds in the sadder parts. This show wasn't the funniest I've seen, only because split between light and dark was half and half. However, it absolutely had the most truth and the most heart. There were so many moments of recognition and connection, so many takeaways to sit and ponder later. Mixed in with audio clips of her mother who struggled with Multiple Sclerosis her whole life only to lose the fight to cancer, are a Banjo’s songs that are light and silly. The way that the show is woven together to make us laugh in the face of that much sadness, indeed laugh in a show written about sadness, speaks volumes about how comical Fraser really is.
Fraser has built a show that is raw, honest, beautiful and funny, an astounding achievement that leaves you with the wind somewhat knocked out of your sails and yet determined to move forward. This is the most important show I've seen this festival and a timely reminder to be better, do more and kiss away calories. Also, I completely agree with her that teeth are weird!
Alice Fraser’s show Savage is on at Cavern Club from 10 May 2016 to 14 May 2016 at 7pm
Buy Tickets here: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2016/may/alice-fraser
From disastrous Ted-X talks to meeting Dick again at the absolute worst (or best) time, the stories are well-crafted to bring the laughter and ease the tension that builds in the sadder parts. This show wasn't the funniest I've seen, only because split between light and dark was half and half. However, it absolutely had the most truth and the most heart. There were so many moments of recognition and connection, so many takeaways to sit and ponder later. Mixed in with audio clips of her mother who struggled with Multiple Sclerosis her whole life only to lose the fight to cancer, are a Banjo’s songs that are light and silly. The way that the show is woven together to make us laugh in the face of that much sadness, indeed laugh in a show written about sadness, speaks volumes about how comical Fraser really is.
Fraser has built a show that is raw, honest, beautiful and funny, an astounding achievement that leaves you with the wind somewhat knocked out of your sails and yet determined to move forward. This is the most important show I've seen this festival and a timely reminder to be better, do more and kiss away calories. Also, I completely agree with her that teeth are weird!
Alice Fraser’s show Savage is on at Cavern Club from 10 May 2016 to 14 May 2016 at 7pm
Buy Tickets here: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2016/may/alice-fraser