Ben Quirk returned home to perform a short but sweet season of his first solo show CRUSH as part of this year’s Adelaide Fringe. The cosy sphere of The Bally in Gluttony was the perfect setting for Ben’s comforting and intimate approach to storytelling.
Upon arrival, Ben sits perched in front of a screen that reads ‘Please do not disturb the artist. Yearning in progress,’ as the soothing sounds of Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank U, Next’ album played. This set the tone for his comedic self-reflective exploration of his experiences with desire that was to follow.
The audience initially finds themselves at Ben’s ‘Crush’ therapy session, bringing us firmly on his side with his relatable anecdotes about how soul crushing pining for someone actually is. Ben continued through his performance as a perfectly-paced spoken word piece of art. Never tripping over a word, he seemed to eye everyone in the audience at least once, ruling the space with charming charisma.
Ben expertly unpacked his early queer awakenings, his first obsessive celebrity crush and his tragic French love affair with his signature blend of witty humour and riveting drama.
His neat powerpoint slides were the perfect accompaniment, creating the feeling of a lecture about love from your dream professor. I have to shout out the ever-so charming fosse finale to ‘Bye Bye Blackbird’ that was a joyous conclusion!
Based in Perth, Ben Quirk is a writer and actor to watch. After a sell out debut season of CRUSH in 2024 at Summer Nights at The Blue Room in Perth, he played further sell out shows at the Sydney Fringe Festival and at The Butterfly Club in Melbourne.
Produced in conjunction with Briannah Davis, CRUSH is an exceptional work of art that will resonate with all audiences. Together, Ben and Briannah have crafted a distinct style of production that creates a unique and accessible theatre experience. You leave having felt seen, and your own delusional crushes comforted.
I am confident that this was not the final stop for CRUSH, as there are many more souls who deserve to experience Ben’s brilliant storytelling finesse.