Fringe review: SMOKO

A story of self-worth and landfill sites that leaves audiences with an overwhelmingly positive message. ★★★

Mar 16, 2026, updated Mar 16, 2026
Supplied.
Supplied.

Can one person’s trash be another’s treasure? In the case of SMOKO, a light-hearted drama following landfill worker Becky, the answer is yes.

Becky’s life is a mess: she’s estranged from her mother and in a complex situationship with her emergency contact. So, it’s ironic that the only thing Becky has going for her is a job in a landfill where she organises other people’s refuse. As Becky juggles her work and social life, she finds herself sinking further into the trash and begins to question her self-worth, surrounded by once-coveted discarded items.

Despite being a solo show, the portrayal of multiple characters and the vibrant scenery of the Red Centre is great. SMOKO tackles a range of challenging topics; it’s slower-paced and there are many thought-provoking ideas to ponder, though many of its messages are vague and incoherent. However, the clearest message of the show is the importance of discovering your own self-worth. SMOKO reminds us that life is temporary and treasuring the people you love, including yourself, is paramount.

SMOKO is playing at The Little Reid Theatre at Goodwood Theatre and Studios from March 12 – March 21

Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.