They say the path to love is never smooth, and this has definitely been the case for Adelaide cabaret artist Carla Mattiazzo, as chronicled in her latest offering, The Catchelorette.

The setting – the quaint Treasury Tunnels at The Adina – was intimate, as were the stories that Mattiazzo shared, each one complemented by a popular song. She opened with a stripped back version of the Whitney Houston classic ‘How Will I Know’ and then proceeded to talk the audience through her experiences with great love, loss and dating dramas. With popular songs from Cardi B, Six 60 and Bruno Mars, there were a number of tracks that Gen Y and Millenials would be familiar with.

Mattiazzo’s rendition of Sara Bareilles’ ‘Gravity’ was a highlight; the emotion-charged performance showcasing her strong vocals. Lily Allen’s ‘F@#! You’ was a strong finger-up to the undesirables she has encountered through the often insidious world of online dating.

While there may be a number of ‘catches’ in relationships, Mattiazzo’s message was ultimately one of self-love and empowerment.

At times the audience were left to fill in the blanks. A reduction in the length of the songs would have allowed Mattiazzo to explore her narratives in greater depth, perhaps facilitating a stronger rapport with the audience. That being said, The Catchelorette captures the realities of 21^st century dating perfectly, and anyone who has ever experienced perils in their quest for love would most definitely relate to Mattiazzo’s show.

3.5 stars

The Catchelorette is playing at The Adina Treasury Tunnels until March 14th. Tickets can be purchased here.

Rachel Gould