After a damning prophecy from a Dutch wizard, multi award-winning cabaret artist Ash Flanders confronted his own nothingness the only way he knew how – by examining a day in his life in a show called Ash Flanders is Nothing. This is not that show…
A multi award-winning writer and performer, Ash Flanders is no stranger to the Brunswick Ballroom having recently wowed audiences at the Opening Gala back in March. In Ash Flanders is Nothing, this highly talented artist knows how to captivate his audience, delivery a whip-smart 80 minutes of storytelling and song.
Opening with Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing, this show is beautifully written, thoughtful and brave, and in places, quite moving. Mining the depths of family, friendships and relationships, Flanders’ self-deprecating honesty is authentic and genuinely raw.
Directed by long-term collaborator, Stephen Nicolazzo carefully balances scenes of tragedy with comedy. Endlessly entertaining, each story confidently told told with passion and restraint.
Adding to the pleasure was David Barclay’s terrific piano accompaniments, allowing Flanders to take the audience on a musical journey that included Neverending Story, Georgia Fields’ Sinking Relation Ship, and Roxette’s It Must Have Been Love.
A consummate performer, Flanders closed out the evening with Tori Amos’ A Sorta Fairytale, and was rewarded with a well deserved response from a very appreciative audience. Ash Flanders is Nothing may have been the title of the show, but what we got was so much more.
Ash Flanders is Nothing
Brunswick Ballroom, 314 – 316 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Performances: 1 & 8 July 2021 – 8.00pm
Information: www.brunswickballroom.com.au
Image: Ash Flanders – photo by Nicole Cleary
Review: Rohan Shearn