Not knowing what to expect, but with an open mind, I took my seat in the historic Queens Theatre at The Lab in the West End, readying myself for Anya Anastasia: The Executioners.
From the first note of the piano accordion, I was entranced by Anya’s world of song, as she reflects on current events and social movements. The original music is beautiful, the lyrics witty, and Anya, in her white spandex one-piece, fills the theatre with her humour and her charm.
Throughout the performance, she articulately illustrates the ironic ideologies of modern societies and the naive ways in which one person believes they can change the world, whether it be participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge, but not actually donating any money to charity, to being too time pressed and lazy to cycle to work.
I laughed until I cried, but ultimately realised that Anya was presenting me with a mirror, that the smashed avocado eating, coconut water drinking, farmers market shopping hipster was in fact me. On the way home from the show, I was stricken with guilt at how little I really do to change the world, but also inspired to change my ways and make a real difference that actually matters.
Anya Anastasia: The Executioners is a must see.
5 stars
Reviewed by Debbie Shearer for Sam About Town
Photo by Gee Greenslade, courtesy of the artist.
Playing at The Lab, Queens Theatre 8-12 March
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/anya-anastasia-the-executioners-af2018
