It’s been a while between stage shows, but that doesn’t mean things haven’t been happening in the world of StoryTeller!

Late last year I reconnected with the lovely James Dean with a vision for a new show that I wanted to create for the Adelaide Fringe Festival. This show would explore stories from the LGBTIQ community that most people haven’t been exposed to… I wanted to call it “Finding Me” but at that early stage, I didn’t realise just how important this creative project would become.

James, who was part of the inaugural Depression the Musical and is an incredible visual artist and all round excellent human, was keen to collaborate if we created original music to accompany the stories that would be told. After a couple of meetings we were pondering why all of these characters would meet, given they’re from such diverse backgrounds. In a light bulb moment, James suggested we set our show in a support group – where people from all walks of life come together to share their stories of identity, self-acceptance and self love.

From that meeting at the Art Gallery in November 2017 to June 2018 – the Finding Me journey has been pretty incredible.

The Finding Me support group at the Rogue & Rascal in Port Lincoln. Participants are seranaded by James Dean as they enter the room and settle. Credit - Brock Borlace

The Finding Me support group at the Rogue & Rascal in Port Lincoln. Participants are seranaded by James Dean as they enter the room and settle.
Credit – Brock Borlace

Our debut season of Finding Me during the Adelaide Fringe presented four characters: Andy, Anita, Bryan & Eve. These characters shared their stories paired with catchy original music in the Finding Me Support Group at Raj House in Adelaide to a sold out crowd on a Tuesday night before touring to Port Lincoln. Finding Me was the first ever Adelaide Fringe show to be performed in Port Lincoln and we proudly packed out the Rogue & Rascal café with the most generous and appreciative audiences. We returned back to Adelaide to a 4 star review thanks to All Over Adelaide and were invited to do two encore shows at Raj House.

 

By this point James & I had explored the idea of more Finding Me shows, this support group could be a

The Tainted Saints - the band behind Finding Me Vol 2 from L-R: Marduk Gault, Troy Rapscallion Benson, Phi Theodoros, Trevor Griffin & James Dean

The Tainted Saints – the band behind Finding Me Vol 2 from L-R: Marduk Gault, Troy Rapscallion Benson, Phi Theodoros, Trevor Griffin & James Dean

safe space for people from all walks of life to share their stories of overcoming adversity. So on the cusp of our whirlwind Fringe season we decided expand the show to a full band for the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival and invite three new characters to share their stories. Our new band is called “The Tainted Saints” and we’re totally wicked, James on keys and myself on ukulele and vocals are now joined by the amazing Marduk Gault (Studio Flamenco) on guitar and Troy Rapscallion Benson (Orelia, Thom Lion, Rapscallion) on drums. In the early days we also collaborated with Trevor Griffin on Bass but due to personal circumstances he was unable to join us for the performances. Big shout out to Trev and his family for all their love and support during the creative development of Finding Me Vol 2!

Working with these wonderful musicians has taken this show to a whole new level and it’s something I am incredibly proud to work on.

The Cabaret Fringe Festival is now in full swing and we have had three out of our five Support Group Sessions this season with incredible feedback: Glam Adelaide gave us a 4 star review and Weekend Notes Adelaide 4.5 stars. But it’s the feedback from you that has been driving us forward, thank you so much for your support on our “Finding Me” Journey and to those of you who have offered to share your stories for a future instalment.

At the time of writing this, we have two more shows – Friday 22nd & Saturday the 23rd and it we would love to introduce you to our four speakers: Dr Webb, Brad, Bryan & Billie.  So, please join us at the Finding Me Support group gathering! Pull up a chair and let our four brave speakers take you on a journey of tragedy, triumph and self-discovery through story & song.

 

Finding Me Vol 2 Poster

Poster for Cabaret Fringe Festival Season June 2018 designed by James Dean

Thursday 7th (Preview), Friday 8th, Saturday 9th, Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd June

All shows 7:00pm @ Raj House

54 Hyde St, Adelaide 5000

 $25 Full Price  $20 Concession

Tickets available online through Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/VRHJ

Or at the door subject to availability

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FindingMeCabaret/

Instagram:  @findingmecabaret               & Twitter:           @findingmecabar1

 

Finding Me Vol 2 and how it all began…