DUMPED by his girlfriend at the end of a long tour last year, North Perth actor and comedian Shane Adamczak set about doing what he does best when faced with inner turmoil. He turned his heartache into a stage play – Love Songs for Future Girl.
What started out as a CD of bittersweet comedy songs, quickly developed into a one-man show based on the premise of finding ‘the one’.
“I’ve always had this romantic notion of ‘the one’,” he told the Guardian Express. “Anyone who has been through a break-up or is in a relationship will be able to relate.”
In Love Songs for Future Girl, 27-year-old Adamczak stars as alter-ego Zack Adams, who has also, coincidentally, been dumped by his girlfriend after a long tour.
Zack takes a nostalgic look back at every girl that could have been ‘the one’ – starting from his first primary school crush – performing original tunes as well as catchy covers along the way from the different eras such as the Billy Ray Cyrus classic Achy Breaky Heart and Beyonce’s Single Ladies.
“A lot of the show is semi-autobiographical,” he said.
“The Zack Adams project has taken over my life a bit; sometimes I really feel like Zack is more known than I am.
“I hope he finds love. I have given him girlfriends and taken them away – I’m a cruel, dictating master.”
Adamczak said writing the show was a therapeutic process.
“It’s the way I deal with lots of things, turn it into a stand-up routine, song or theatre show,” he said.
“Most people I know trust me when I do anything from real life; no one is identified.
“It’s not like ‘this could be a song and I’ll record it – you’re going to be sorry’.”
As well as love and heartbreak, the show touches on what it means to grow a bad ginger beard.
Adamczak admitted there was no difference between a good and bad ginger beard.
“If it’s ginger – it’s pretty much bad,” he said.
“The only way you can pull it off is if you’re a Viking, and there aren’t too many around these days.
“But I do the best I can with what I’ve got. Yes, that’s my personal motto, just do the best with what you’ve got.
“If life gives you a ginger beard, make ginger beer.”
Love Songs for Future Girl is at The Blue Room Theatre until August 28 before travelling to the Brisbane Under The Radar Festival, as well as the Sydney Fringe Festival in September.