4.5 stars
Under the dark cloud of gay conversion therapy this show was born, and while Jonny’s ‘conversion’ was not only inappropriate, and clearly ‘failed’, we are healed and restored by the Disco rainbow under the ministrations of Aunty Jonny and Mikala.
“Because we’re in a University we thought we should give you a lecture” says Jonny, but this isn’t traditional learning. We’re taken back to the roots of the genre around a soundtrack of history and the gyrations of our lecturer Aunties. Disco was born in diversity and a revolutionary change in socialising and dancing, the move from opposite -sex-only dancing to everyone dancing with everyone – regardless of sexuality, colour, age and status.
We learn about how ‘Saturday Night Fever’ homogenised disco (referred to herein as lower case d), the battles of Rock vs Disco in the industry, and how these Aunties are on a mission to drag capital D Disco into now, with DJ’s who read the room and make the mood to bring the audience along for an experience, not just a themed night out.
With references to sexually ambiguous Sesame Street characters, audience participation in a ‘we can’t pay the rent party’, and a final boogie, we’re enthralled with personal stories from Jonny, Mikala’s history slide show and Andrew DJ who keeps up with the history in music. This show could easily run for longer and the audience wouldn’t even notice.
Go for what you think you know about Disco, find out the truth.
4.5 mirror balls
The Adelaide Fringe run has now finished (more information below). Look out for the them in the future!
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-dollar-bin-darlings-disco-conversion-therapy-af2020