At Holden Street Theatre, Kay Proudlove opens not just her diary but her heart in a disarming performance that transforms teenage angst into melody. 'Dear Diary,' is making its Adelaide Fringe debut after captivating East Coast audiences. This show invites us into the sacred pages of adolescence with all its awkwardness and depths of hindsight.
Kay, traverses the landscape of her younger self with infectious charm and folk-infused melodies which carry us through the spectrum of growing up. From the giddy heights of Spice Girls fandom and first kisses to fractured friendships and unmet expectations.
What makes this show particularly resonant is how seamlessly Kay weaves between past and present, allowing her adult perspective to cast gentle light on teenage turmoil. The diary itself serves as both artifact and oracle, revealing not just who she was, but the unconscious pressure she placed on herself to become a hope and dream. One particularly poignant moment follows her first misadventure with alcohol – the implications hover delicately in the air, acknowledged but never exploited for dramatic effect.
Behind the 90s nostalgia and laugh-out-loud moments lies a more nuanced conversation about mental health. Kay doesn't explicitly lecture on the topic, but rather embeds it naturally in her exploration of body image struggles, the sting of bullying, and the weight of expectation that fills her teenage entries. There's something profoundly healing in watching her adult self recognise these negative voices dressed up in hope - for what they truly were.
Director Leland Kean has crafted a show that feels spontaneous yet perfectly paced, allowing Kay’s considerable musical and storytelling talents to shine without overwhelming the vulnerable material at its core. This delicate balance is what elevates 'Dear Diary' beyond mere nostalgia.
As the performance draws to a close, a question lingers: what do we hold onto from our past, and when – if ever – should we let it go? In Kay’s capable hands, this becomes less a philosophical puzzle and more a gentle invitation to reconcile with our former selves.
For anyone who's ever winced at their teenage thoughts or wondered about the road not taken, 'Dear Diary' offers both mirror and balm.