Review: THE KANZISS TRIALS – ADELAIDE FRINGE 2019 at Hotel Grand Chancellor

Reviewed by Corinna Di Niro, Monday 18th February 2019.

Toe Jar Creative, led by director and producer Joel Allan, brings us something Fringe-goers will find very interesting in this intimate space inside the charming Hotel Grand Chancellor. It has got everything that the Adelaide Fringe represents, a platform for local talent to try out something new, an exploration of daring concepts, and actors not afraid to interact and dance with the audience.

The Kanziss Trials is a new piece of work where audiences of no more than ten at a time are invited to either observe or participant. From the moment you enter, you are greeted, sorted, shuffled along and everyone in the room eagerly waits to see what will unfold. It is a spin, of a spin, of a spin of the beloved Wizard of Oz story, but it is not what you would think. 'Tributes' (participants) are put through a series of trials until one is left standing. Three-quarters of the way in, the observers, or those of us too afraid to get up on stage, get their say in who should proceed and who is sent packing, and the end, well it is just something you will have to see for yourself. The series of trials blends immersive storytelling, pop-up experiences and sober disco music.

Your invitation has been sent.
Do you Observe or Participate?
With two paths to choose from,
which brick road do you follow...

It is so refreshing to see new works explored during this time of mainstream mayhem that tends to overtake this festival. If supporting local artists is your thing (as if it is not), then go and support Toe Jar Creative this year. It is not what you expect, and that is the point.