Participating in something as large as Adelaide Fringe can often feel overwhelming, but at its core, it’s a great festival to explore and revive previously performed work, and Ego Jacket is such a show that rises to that challenge.
Ego Jacket’s unique appeal is its rock concert cabaret format. With a blend of Australian and international hits, the work invites the audience to really listen to the intent behind the songs and how they can say the words that are often the hardest to say.
The work focuses on the dark anxieties and fears that lurk underneath the surface and how, as much as we try, we must step up and face what we run from the most.
Phillip Lee Curtis is a masterful performer, strutting around the stage with all the cocky openness of a seasoned rock star. By using his own personal story, he is able to draw the audience in and form a genuine connection, leading them down a garden path of self doubt, hopelessness, fear and ultimately, the courage to overcome.
Ego Jacket perfectly fits into the Bakehouse Theatre space, filling every inch of the space with perfect little touches and set pieces that all tie in together as the work unfolds. The audio visual projections heighten the deep emotive themes and adds a creative touch that elevates the work.
Having previously seen the work during the 2018 Midsumma Festival in Melbourne it is inspiring to see just how far this work has come. Phillip Lee Curtis has worked hard to tighten up the work and create a rich and very human story. He is certainly a performer to keep an eye on.
Ego Jacket
Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide
Season continues to 2 March 2019
Information and Bookings: www.adelaidefringe.com.au
Image: Phillip Lee Curtis – photo by Brynie Ladds
Review: Gavin Roach