When it seems a struggle to adjust to adulthood, I like to reminisce on the world’s cultural heyday. By this, I am obviously referring to the Disney Channel golden era. With Cadet Kelly is the best movie I’ve Ever Seen in my Friggin Life, Ben McCarthy brings this nostalgia to life, in a bizarre show that few of the audience could have anticipated.
This one-man show is a clever retelling of one of Disney’s infamous original movies, Cadet Kelly. It opens with a group singalong to a Lizzie McGuire classic, ‘This is What Dreams are Made of.’ The absurd opening serves as an effective means of warming up the audience to receive McCarthy’s dramatic blow by blow retelling of the movie’s plot. He weaves in some unusual side pieces throughout also.
A slight lag in the middle is made up for with some engaging audience participation at the end. An audience is left truly believing (despite any earlier reservations) that Cadet Kelly is an emotional and complex movie, a commendable artistic feat.
Do not worry if you’ve never seen the movie! Being unaware of the source material can make this experience even better. With the shows high intensity, you will feel engaged throughout whether you like it or not. It may be one of Hillary Duff’s lesser-known movies, but you will leave with deeper appreciation for it, and for the endless boundaries of art itself. While I wondered at times how and what had brought me here, McCarthys confidence and commitment make the show extremely enjoyable. I left with many crazy sound bites burned into my brain and a respect for the originality and artistic quality of the work.
Previously nominated for Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe, this show offers a true Fringe experience. If you like feeling uncomfortable and unsure of what’s about to happen next, this show is for you.
CADET KELLY IS THE BEST MOVIE I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY FRIGGIN LIFE is on until August 30 (not 18, 25) at Buttercup at Underbelly George Square. Buy tickets here.
Photo by Younho Choo on Unsplash
