Happy Endings - Adelaide Fringe Review

Photo: K Darius / supplied

Every fairy tale ends with a happy ending, right? 

Suppose it doesn’t however, and you substitute the innocence and childhood nostalgia and replace it with a seductive grown up [little] red riding hood, drag, circus, burlesque, and a whole lot of queer camp dancing. Well, that’s what Happy Endings brings you.

Bursting out of the woods is Red, played by Amber Scates who is the main protagonist with a spectacular powerhouse of vocals. Her vocal range stretches far and wide, blowing the crowd away with her covers of some mainstream pop songs. 

Oh how fond we are of the Big Bad Wolf, played by none other than drag superstar Fay Rocious. Rocious takes on the role of emcee as the audience is introduced to the concept of the show, which feels like you’re watching an episode of the Bachelorette or essentially, any other reality dating show. 

Introduced to the likes of Jack (Matthew Pope) from Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel (Melina Hall), Prince Charming (Christian Nimri), Daddy Bear (Saint Eve), Snow White (Natalie Oakes), and Puss in Boots (Alfie D’Elia), the show manages to cram in many classic fairy tale characters in a short space of an hour. 

Flat out debauchery and absurdity has the audience in stitches and cheering for more, with each eligible bachelor on a mission to seduce Red. Some breakdancing knights, epic aerial silk and hoop segments, alluring drag, and the campest dance performances (in particular by Puss in Boots) deliver a well-varied and highly entertaining show. 

The awe-inspiring intensity and energy throughout the show puts the audience in a prime position for the climax of reaching your happy ending. We won’t give away too much about it, it's probably not the ending you might have expected.

Rating: ★★★★

Show details: Happy Endings - Adelaide Fringe