Walking through New Farm Parkland Friday evening on a perfect summer night, approaching well-known arts venue, The Brisbane Powerhouse, there was an electrifying energy. Delicious smells lingering from the food trucks right outside the entrance, and inside the entire space is utilised to host the incredible festival.
The 2018 Wonderland Festival showcased a variety of performance mediums from cabaret, and musical theatre; to stand-up comedy and everything in-between. Brisbane Powerhouse was lit up fluorescent pink, and inside the crowd was beaming and mingling. The bar was busy, and the view from the balcony onto the Brisbane River was astonishing.
Lights, and chatter and the smell of food making its way from the front all make this the perfect atmosphere for the artists to showcase their performances. For most, it will be their first production and one of the first times it has had a real audience.
In the Graffiti Room area of the Powerhouse was the comedy, cross musical, cabaret number titled Get A (REAL) Job. Written, produced and performed by Clare Healy; and in absolute honesty it exceeded any expectations I had concocted in my mind. She was personable, relatable, authentic and, most importantly, so damn hilarious in such an intimate setting. With an audience of no more than 25, in a small dark room, Claire Healy performed her one-woman show under a red spotlight with a keyboard, a ukulele and spectacular vocals.
Throughout the one-hour performance Claire incorporated multiple songs about her life and career experience. She engaged with the audience, and her real-life stories were genuinely hilarious. I was in fits of belly laughs whilst listening to different audience members about the downsides of their questionable job choice. And by far my favourite part of the show was the sing-a-long number that had the whole room in tune repeating, “Sold My Soul. I Sold My Soul. I Sold My Soul, for cash.”
Get a (REAL) job centred around the idea that there really is no such thing as a typical job in the modern-day, technology age. And, everyone has had their own career bloopers, but it’s better to be doing what you love as opposed to selling your soul for cash.
Wonderland Festival at the Brisbane Powerhouse was a great way for Claire Healy to showcase her new show to Brisbane punters. I am looking forward to seeing more from this witty, uniquely brilliant performer in the future.
29th Nov - 2nd Dec, 2018
Graffiti Room, Brisbane Powerhouse
Brianna Denmeade