Adelaide’s own Millicent Sarre steps out onto a stage where a keyboard, rotary phone, and ukulele are waiting for her. She is striking in her floral, flared power suit and white platform boots. A yellow neon sign reading “Opinionated” adorns the stage. It reflects the unapologetic nature of this show.

Opinionated features all-original music written by Sarre, a highly accomplished singer-songwriter. It follows the success of her debut 2020 Fringe cabaret show Friendly Feminism for the Mild Mannered as its fierier sister.

From the opening number, “Opinionated Woman”, the audience is enthralled by Sarre and her music. Her soprano voice is powerful yet silky as she moves through her range. Her Australian accent is pleasantly and refreshingly present as she sings. It is obvious she is a well-trained professional.

We are also introduced to Sarre’s alter-ego, Kevin, a misogynistic and bigoted Aussie bloke who claims “feminism has gone too far”.

Many of Sarre’s songs have a familiar sound, playing with the tropes of bouncy, cabaret-style music. This affords the audience a comfortable ride despite the subversive subject matter. As the show progresses, the songs take on more sonic complexity. The perky “oompah” of the first few numbers is left behind as the music and lyrics become darker and a whole lot more serious.

Threads of Sarre’s own life experiences underlay all her songs. This adds authenticity as she begins to deconstruct topics that initially receive a comedic treatment, including internalised misogyny, body image, fatphobia, and self-love.

She adeptly walks the line between comedy and very real, serious issues with care and brilliance. The song “Jealous” serves as a moment of poignant reflection, shifting attention to her own relationship with internalised misogyny and how she judges herself against other women.

Sarre highlights the pain points of the feminine experience with precise and striking lyrics. The words “I fell out of love with my body that day”, from “Out of Love”, noticeably hit home for many in the audience as waves of emotion touch the listeners.

The construction of this show is excellent. Its light-hearted start has one feeling safe in Sarre’s hands as she guides her audience to some intimately emotional and reflective places. She is highly articulate in her fast-paced delivery, particularly in her final commanding monologue.

The song “I Will Be Mine” is a sweet conclusion to end a performance that is full of self-affirming messages, and which culminates resoundingly in the words, “I’ll know my own voice and let it ring free… I will be mine before I am yours”.

The subject matter within Sarre’s unapologetically powerful cabaret is a frighteningly relevant and important reminder for all that self-love and self-acceptance are truly radical but profound things to embrace.

Millicent Sarre is Opinionated is playing at The Virago in Gluttony until March 5.

Sarre spoke about her latest Fringe show in this recent CityMag story. Read more 2023 Adelaide Fringe stories and reviews on InReview here.

Shannon Pearce is the third recipient of the Helpmann Academy InReview Mentorship. She is working with experienced writers Graham Strahle and Samela Harris to write a series of articles for publication in InReview.