Singing is good for you, there's no question of that.
Countless studies have confirmed it benefits our physical and mental health, but why do we love singing along to our favourite songs in public? The obvious answer is it makes us feel better – but why?There's the social aspect of course. People will pay big dollars for rock concerts and then scream the tunes so loudly they can't hear the band; but they'll still go away saying it was one of the best experiences of their lives. Doing it in the shower doesn't quite have that same magic; you need to be with like-minded souls sharing what this music means to you.
We've all had that moment when you find that other person who knows all the lyrics to some obscure song and you immediately irritate everyone else in the vicinity by singing through the whole thing.
MerryHub Productions are fully exploring this phenomenon at 2025 Adelaide Fringe with their suite of singalong shows focusing on well-known brands like Queen, Meatloaf and Monty Python, as well as bringing something new to the game – a Singalonga Pub Quiz!
That one does what it says; it's a singalong and it's a general knowledge 'pub quiz'. As Betty said after seeing last year's show: "This show is great fun. Perfectly balanced for people like me who like to relax, sing along and feel good as a result!" In other words, it has that wonderfully elusive quality where you can feel part of the show without drawing any attention to yourself. Brilliant!
The Singalonga Pub Quiz (SPQ) works on another level. While MerryHub's themed shows appeal to fans of a particular genre, SPQ covers a vast range of songs from pub standards like 'Coming Round The Mountain' through musical theatre bangers like 'Consider Yourself' to pop and rock classics like ABBA and INXS, and the playlist and questions vary so you can come again if you like and get a whole new show.
This makes it easily digestible and keeps you on your toes – a similar tactic used for their late night show Magic Faraway Cabaret. Here, the best acts visiting Adelaide Fringe give you ten-minute samples of their talent – and boy what talents!
Confirmed acts so far include magician Charlie Caper, singer Sarah Louise Young, clown Jeromaia Detto and last year's comedy award winner Elf Lyons. With some top burlesque acts lined up as well, you can see how it deserves the reputation it earned in Edinburgh as 'the-must-see' quality variety show.
The talent line-up is different every night and that difference is the key. MC Mister Meredith explains. "As everyone involved with Magic Faraway Cabaret is a performer, we understand how they need to be introduced and respect their skills, whether it's to make people laugh or amaze them with tricks. Acts love playing with us and we'll often give them leeway to try things you won't see anywhere else!"
There's no big money behind any of these shows, just a passion for entertaining that united Adelaide native Antony Hubmayer and Edinburgh regular Luke Meredith (MerryHub - geddit?), and judging by the countless Fringe feed reviews from last year, this passion certainly shines through in all their shows.
Magic Faraway Cabaret is in The Ballroom at Ayers House 10.30pm Fridays and Saturdays. The Jade hosts the Singalonga Pub Quiz, Singalonga Meatloaf, Singalonga Queen, Singalonga Monty Python, AFL Singalonga Pub Quiz and An Unwasted Evening - The Genius of Tom Lehrer throughout the Adelaide Fringe season, which runs 21 February to 23 March.
