⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pulling off a solo show will always come with a massive undertaking. Let alone a solo show that relies heavily on audience participation.
It is left up to a single performer to not only engage a room full of strangers, but get them comfortable enough to step out of their comfort zones and let loose.
In this regard Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers exceeds expectations with flying colours.
Breaking the ice, Ryan begins by passing around squirt bottles filled with water during the show’s preamble, encouraging the audience to try their hand at comedic timing. These bottles are used later to great effect in a full circle moment. An amusing combination of prop comedy and environmental storytelling, though I won’t say where.
Once the songs started flowing, Ryan created a true sense of intimacy with the tight-knit audience. Whether an old Australian classic, a reimagining of a newer hit, or a mashup lying somewhere in between, Ryan is consistently up close and personal with the crowd. Culminating, at this show, with a fiery moment of passion set to Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball.
Singing and dancing is highly encouraged. By the end of the night, even those who were initially less receptive were tapping their toes to the Nutbush or giving their all to the back up vocals in Mama Mia.
Fringe’s answer to Weird Al, with a crowd of only 20, the show was a blast. If you get a group of friends together, a smile, a few laughs and a good time for all will be what you walk out with.