Probably the most famous multiple personality in all of fiction, fan favourites Gollum and Smeagol brought their double act, “My Precious! The Cabaret”, to FRINGE WORLD 2025 via the many talents of performance alter-ego Morgan Palmer.

It seemed appropriate this show was scheduled in a week when Perth’s temperatures were as hot as the fires of Mount Doom themselves, where the One Ring could have easily melted on any roadway in the metro area, without need to first locate, nor subsequently walk to, the nearest active volcano.

Palmer demonstrated a machine-gun rapid-fire intensity when it came to both comedy and local references, so much so that if a joke didn’t land, three more were already on their way. Highlights included an analogy between WA’s resource sector and the Mines of Moria, a near note-perfect rendition of an iconic (or cringe) Paris Olympics routine, and a particular local politician being both Sauron and Phantom of the Opera combined.

All song selections were well-chosen and deftly added to Tolkien’s original story beats, with such titles as “I Will Survive” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Gollum even channelled their inner Roxie Hart at one point, belting out the eponymous show tune classic from ‘Chicago”. As also perhaps the stand-out dance number of the night, Palmer’s physicality when shoulders were shimmied or hips swayed was both dynamic and hilarious. With song, script, and his audience participation ad-libs, Palmer stayed almost exclusively in Gollum’s instantly recognisable, snivelling nasal range, and held the true power of his voice back, giving a distinct sense of vocal restraint. Though as much as one could not imagine Donald Duck voiced by Pavarotti, similarly one would not upstage Smeagol, returned from the dead, in their very own musical.

Gollum and Smeagol played out their addictions (the Ring), their fears, and their co-dependence through the piece, before a third-act denouement where they declared their love for each other in front of a very vocal, appreciative, and sold-out audience. An audience that came for “The Lord of the Rings” easter eggs, was thoroughly entertained by the songs, comedy, and current pop culture references – the ga is silent, indeed – and left with delighted appreciation for Palmer’s voice, wit, and overall vision for this beloved character.