Review – Michael Griffiths: Adolescent

Michael Griffiths’ show Adolescent proves you don’t need extravagant costumes, gimmicks or intricate lighting displays to produce a perfect cabaret show. Sometimes we strive so hard to create something brand new that we forget what cabaret is really about; beautiful musical numbers and a great story. And that is exactly what Michael Griffiths delivers.

The Deluxe tent at the Garden of Unearthly Delights feels engineered specifically for this show, the lead-light windows, the small stage, the intimate setting all work to heighten the simplistic wonder of Griffiths’ talents. He recounts stories from his childhood, of the stage shows he worked on, of meeting his partner, of the stars he idolized in his youth and of life’s many struggles that inevitably make us who we are. He is so funny, so genuine and so relatable that I truly think he would have won over the audience even without the music, but I’m glad he didn’t have to. He has a commanding singing voice that also manages to be delicate, soft and deeply touching. I had to wipe away a tear when he sang ‘In Between Day’s by The Cure.

The show is a mixture of comedy and cabaret but really it is a story about growing up even when it feels like you aren’t. It’s enlightening. It’s indulgent reminiscing. It is the best of the 80s, the best of cabaret and the best show I’ve seen at the fringe so far. I wished I could have lived in Michael’s world for a bit longer, but unfortunately we all have to grow up some time.