Where: Gluttony – The Lark (outdoor event)
Duration: 60 minutes
Genre: Comedy / Stand-up
To buy tickets, please visit: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/queer-present-danger-af2021
Anna Piper Scott has made an appearance at Little Bang Brewing Company’s Thursday comedy nights, but in her own stand-up show, Queer and Present Danger, with 60 minutes all to herself, she really gets to shine. Queer and Present Danger is not a show that I’d requested to see prior to visiting Gluttony last Sunday, and the last thing I expected to be doing on a Sunday night before an early Monday start was to be sitting in the chilly, open-aired Gluttony venue, The Lark (and it does get cold so bring a jacket). Still, after being personally invited in by Anna herself, how could I refuse? What transpired over the next 60 minutes was a hilarious, moving, and powerful comedy experience that seemed to serve a higher purpose than to solely make me laugh.
Anna’s content is very reminiscent of shows such as Hannah Gatsby’s Nanette, which use the comedy medium to really home in on important topics and deliver a message, without making it feel like a chore. It’s the equivalent of watching a movie in school to teach you the curriculum – though I’d hope you actually take what Anna’s teaching and apply it to your everyday life. As a cis-gendered woman (in a unanimous crowd of cis-gendered people), I was unsure that I’d be able to relate to Anna’s comedy, which is centred around her experience growing up and living as a trans-woman. Turns out, I had no need to be worried. After all, emotions are universal, feelings are universal, and her comedy was thought-provoking and empowering for all women at the same time. I was immediately captivated by Anna’s presence on stage – she was energetic and unapologetically unique and spoke to the audience as though we’d been friends for years (or maybe that was my wishful thinking). Her comedy also resonated with my personal taste, and got quite dark at times, but well received by the audience. Of course, there were jokes that probably went over our heads, but Anna took those opportunities to educate the audience while making little jokes at our expense simultaneously, which I found to be a great way to help us connect with her and immerse ourselves in her routine. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, despite the biting cold (and her show will go ahead rain or shine, so read the BOM forecast and be prepared).
I definitely think Queer and Present Danger is one of the top shows to see at this year’s Adelaide Fringe, and completely underrated at that. It’s only a matter of time before Anna makes it big, so take advantage of her very well-priced tickets, treat yourself for an hour, and allow yourself to be educated, entertained, and engaged.
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