Review: The Ballad of Unbeatable Hearts

Richard Fry in The Ballad of Unbeatable Hearts inspires the activist in all of us in the poetic performance of hopes and dreams based during the 1990s suicide epidemic amongst young gay men.

Fry eases the audience into a story that feels like the beginning of a fairy tale until the son, John Wayne, starts to repress his homosexuality which builds to the point where he tries to take his own life.

From here the optimism and inspiration begin in a comical series of verses that will encourage any onlooker to reach out and help other people.

The empowering performance by Fry then twists you into the darker reality of the 1990s and opens your eyes to the possibilities arising from simple acts.

Fry is remarkable. He is a sensational storyteller and at times his narrations were timed to the sobs in the crowd. It is a moving piece of work.

There are countless lines of information presented in the show and luckily Fry hands out a ‘worksheet’ to everyone to remember some of the finer points he put forward in his performance.

The Ballad of Unbeatable Hearts is a stand out performance at the Fringe and is a piece that will sit with you and challenge your thoughts well after the show has finished.

The Ballad of Unbeatable Hearts, Higher Ground, 9 Light Square, city, until March 18. Check Fringe Guide for session times adelaidefringe.com.au