Sophie deLightful presented and starred in an intimate performance at La Boheme. It was her first time performing in the Adelaide Fringe Festival, but the Melbourne-based artist was no novice. DeLightful oozed confidence as she weaved her way through the audience, flirtatiously interacting and delivering cheeky banter.
Her show combined poetry, singing, music, and burlesque performance. Her sparkly, wide-eyed oratory, colourful costumes, and smokey, saxophonesque vocal qualities were an asset to her. She described a “Power Pussy” as “a passionate being, you love with all your heart.”
Passion and sass shone through in this artist. It was evident that she loved her work as she shared anecdotes with her patrons. She even showed off a tattoo on her forearm which read “grateful for my life” inscribed in Spanish.
Her generosity extended to guest artists who shared the stage throughout her show, including Laurie Black from the UK, and Kelly Ann Doll from Sydney. She was accompanied on keyboard by Michael Chalk as she serenaded the audience with covers of songs by Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Radiohead, and Britney Spears.
Interwoven through her songs was original poetry that she herself penned. DeLightful’s diary was a featured prop in this cabaret and her prose highlighted vulnerability through the written word as she confessed some very personal thoughts. Notions of others’ expectations and not fitting into the conventional complemented her singing voice, which shone in its lower to middle registers.
The most magical moments in her performance were the delicate and subtle. Surprisingly, these were the moments she apologised for. I truly believe that once this artist embraces her fragility and allows her story to breathe, she will deliver a more powerful and unified performance.
Admittedly, some segues and comic timing can be refined and her strong voice can benefit from improved microphone technique. However, deLightful delivered some beautiful melodies and struck some genuinely funny moments that made me belly laugh.
Her Fringe season has ended but you can follow her on social media. Be sure to catch her the next time she is in town!
Rating ☆☆☆☆
Instagram @sophiedelightful
Season closed.
Performances: Wednesday 14 – Sunday 18 February 2018
Time: 8.00 pm
Venue: La Boheme
