Yuri Wells
The Hayloft Project

The Garden of Unearthly Delights, The Container
Every day at 7pm (except March 8) until March 13. 

The best compliment I can pay Yuri Wells – of which I have many – is that this is the kind of work that could convert the disenfranchised into regular theatre goers. And not from watering down their craft and fronting with a celebrity face SYTYCD style; the Hayloft Project have admirably stayed true to their artform. This work really is truly exceptional and deserves to be seen widely by the Adelaide Fringe public.

Framed with Juno-esque ukulele tunes from Stuart Bowden, the story is that of Yuri Wells, a guy in his late twenties who lives alone and is a nurse to the elderly and often terminal.  This self-conscious, awkward character who is constantly surrounded by loneliness kidnaps the girl of his affections and from here the story plays out, using many similar themes to the film Lars and the Real Girl and an unrequited love of a sincerely un-Shakespearean variety. 

This is a tragic yet endearing story beautifully and effortlessly performed by Benedict Hardie, who deserves to be nominated as one of the best performances of this years’ Fringe.  There are some gorgeous quirks in the script that will resonate and besot anyone who grew up drinking Ribena or aspiring to wear shirts with French cuffs.  Though there are a few issues with the venue, and the introduction slightly too long, don’t let this detract from this truly outstanding and captivating work. -Kylie

 4.5 / 5.