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Children Are Stinky: Fart-tastic Circus Fun For All Ages

13 July 2024 Faith Jessel

Children Are Stinky Rating

★★★★★

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Are children really stinky? How many ‘bot bot’ jokes can you fit into a 45 minute show? And who enjoyed this jam packed, super fun extravaganza more? The adults or the kids? These are extremely important questions if you are aged 4-12 or a grown up who has surrendered to their inner child. In the spirit of ‘Children Are Stinky’, an exciting, award-winning children’s comedy by Circus Trick Tease, the answers ….. will be revealed at the end of this review. Spoiler Alert!

Jason and Kylie (not their real names) take an extra big and farty bow! You two rockstars managed to mesmerise a mob of 150 mini-humans without resorting to TikTok trickery, coolness, or screen time sorcery. Your old-school, analogue awesomeness has earned you a gold star in the annals of kid-entertainment history.

‘Children are Stinky’ dares young adventurers to be smart, imaginative and active. A joyful jamboree of giggles, grins, and triumphant high-fives in a crazy circus celebration of youthful exuberance and laughter.

How truly wonderful to see children bouncing and dancing in their seats, unable to tear their eyes away from the charm of this immensely silly and clever show. What is it about? Well…. nothing, but how nice it is to be alive, move your body and cackle until your bum drops off. It’s like they were stuck in a vortex of pure, unadulterated joy – and honestly, who can blame them? It’s a spectacle so awesomely absurd, you’ll be jiggling along with the kids in no time. Pure bliss erupted when a small but mighty voice cut through the chaos, triumphantly declaring ‘YOU licked it!’ (don’t panic – it was a blackboard) – a hilariously perfect moment that encapsulated the show and elements of audience participation.

The air was electric with squeals of delight, shouts of ‘Higher! Higher!’ as Jason balanced on his head or a chair or over a kid, Kylie dangled from a swing and they both trashed the stage with balloons, puppets, props and nonsense – all set to a soundtrack of upbeat jams. The Parramatta light rail staff on their 100th testing loop were probably scratching their heads, wondering if they’d missed a memo about a spontaneous kindergarten rave party breaking out nearby!

Parents beware – there will soon be a buyers rush and shortage of whoopee cushions. Stock up immediately. They are now more coveted than a selfie with a unicorn. And kids across Western Sydney will be driving their parents bonkers over the holidays as they try to master handstands, drop siblings on their heads (oops!), balance chair towers, juggle (kind of), and probably swing from the clothesline.

This show was perfect stinky holiday entertainment. Get ready to revel in the nostalgia of retro-rad fun and games, and inspire the kids to put down their screens and get playful too! Your kid will love it. You will love it. And let’s be real, the farts are just the cherry on top – don’t pretend you’re not excited!

Answers:
1. Yes, children ARE stinky. But they were ok with that because everyone else is stinky too.
2. How many farts? At least 54. I lost count, but the words and actions never lost impact.
3. Who enjoyed it more? As an ex-kindergarten teacher I can honestly say that apart from writing this review, it was the most fun I’ve had since I had a crush on Greg from that other kids show.

See https://www.circustricktease.com/children-are-stinky for the stinkiest tickets in town.

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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Sunset Strip: The Bonds of Family and Forgiveness

11 July 2024 Linda Lokhee

Sunset Strip Rating

★★★★★

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Award winning playwright Suzie Miller (Prima Facie, Sold, Cross Sections, Reasonable Doubt) doesn’t shy away from writing about the painful parts of life. Her previous plays have been about homelessness, racism in Australia and the traps of selling your soul for materialism. Her latest play, Sunset Strip, continues to tackle some tough themes – grief, addiction, cancer, dementia, and complicated family dynamics.

New Theatre’s opening night of Sunset Strip was an emotional rollercoaster which took the audience into the world of two very different sisters, Phoebe (played by Molly Hadden) and Caroline (played by Erica Nelson). Director Annette van Roden’s interpretation has created a multifaceted story with some harsh, tender and lighthearted moments, sometimes all at the same time.

The set design by Annette van Roden is split into two scenes. There is a living room inside a house, somewhere in a mining town near Broken Hill, and a backyard which used to face a sparkling lake complete with sand and sun, now a dried-up dusty dirt bowl. I thought this could be a subtle interpretation of perhaps the bright and simple joy of childhood yielding into a more complex adulthood, with all the complicated issues that accompany it. Nothing remains the same throughout time.

Caroline, the city lawyer (“the smart one”, as Phoebe relates) arrives home for a visit with her sister and dad. We witness the first signs that all is not what she expects, when Ray (convincingly played by Vincent Melton) does not recognise her. Ray’s dementia leaves him having intervals of clarity between periods of confusion, and when he soon recognises and welcomes her back home after a few minutes, it is clear that Caroline is confused, and realizes that Phoebe has been shouldering their father’s deterioration on her own.

Molly Haddon’s portrayal of Phoebe is outstanding. Phoebe, who is the carer of their dad, as well as mum of two kids who are currently in foster care, is clearly nervous about seeing her sister. Her high energy on stage of being the younger – (less successful, less pretty, the one with the worse hair, according to herself) – sister with some news to break is palpable. She is buzzing, full of words and action whilst Caroline is more stoic, level, and sensible. We soon discover through Erica’s intense portrayal of Caroline, that her recent health experiences have taught her a lot about herself, and that being vulnerable is not something to avoid or run away from.

Through their sister relationship lens, the complexity and pain of life through trauma is highlighted. Though Phoebe seeks an outward desperation for her sister’s approval, it is Caroline who ends up being the one that is counselled by her father and Teddy (played by Shane Davidson). These moments were touching.

Teddy, Phoebe’s fiancé, brings another dimension to Sunset Strip. He has a history with Caroline and the two must work through their past, for the sake of Phoebe, her kids and their future.

This is a play where the audience will be left to ponder what will happen to these characters long after the curtain falls. Multiple themes are conversation starters, and this is one of the highlights of Suzie Miller’s script, and New Theatre’s production.

The beauty of Sunset Strip may not lay in the land and surroundings of this family, but in the rawness of human frailty, the need for connection and the ability for forgiveness.

Sunset Strip is playing at New Theatre, 542 King St Newtown.
Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including interval)
10 July – 3 August 2024
Tickets: Thrify Thursdays / New Theatre members $25
Concessions / Groups of 6+ $32
Full $37

Photographer: © Chris Lundie

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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Once Upon a Grimm Night: Interactive Theatre

6 July 2024 Linda Lokhee

Once Upon a Grimm Night Rating

★★★★★

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An interactive theatre experience is not a seated and static theatre show. Nor is it one where you are pulled onto stage to become a part of the show, like in a stage hypnotist’s performance.

The ‘theatre’ setting for Once Upon a Grimm Night was a beautiful heritage house, Lindesay House, with lush green landscaped gardens that overlooked Sydney Harbour. Odyssey Theatre has chosen the perfect setting in Lindesay House for their Otherworld meets Ourworld theatre experience.

When we arrived for our 5:30 p.m. session, we were greeted by the impressively large house, with warm lights emanating from the windows, giving it a welcoming glow. Dusky twilight oranges and pinks painted the background of the house and the huge tree in front of it, where we waited for the show to begin.

Our group was soon welcomed by The Narrator (Jared Gerschwitz) with his infectious enthusiasm. It is a credit to Jared, who outlined the storyline, clarified our quest for the night, and made our adventure into the house enjoyable while maintaining a wicked sense of humour. Other characters we met initially as we were swept into the story included Cly (Phoebe Lumley Tow), the earnest maiden, and Grimm Volkov (Harlee Timms).

Along with the heritage house, the details put into the costume design and hair styling stood out for me. The Maiden Cly’s hair was fairytale perfect, complete with the flowers in her half-up/down wavy hair. I noted the jewellery worn by The Narrator, Grimm and the Witch, who we soon met, all added to the idea of what a fairytale character would feel comfortable wearing. Look closely, to peek at some cleverly hidden clues in their costume and jewellery design!

The fourth character, the Witch (Emily McKendry), had her own back storyline, as did all the characters. One fun part of this interactive theatre involved the audience helping her brew a magic potion to help further their quest. The way that Emily guided this particular scene down in the basement of the house in the deep, cold, stone kitchen was highly entertaining.

Throughout the play, the audience was given several puzzles to solve that immersed them deeper into the storyline. Everyone had to work together to come up with the answer. The group I went through with were all good sports, and we had an opportunity to discuss what certain clues meant to try and figure out the answers. If you were someone who would rather observe than participate, I am sure that the cast wouldn’t have made you do anything.

All four characters appeared to be able to read the room, with their mannerisms tailored to the audience. Odyssey Theatre’s director and writer, Emily McKendry, creatively handmade the clue props, which stood out as original and made for interesting puzzles to solve.

The storyline would suit all ages, as a fairytale does not need to be just for children. I recommend Once Upon A Grimm Night for anyone who would like an hour of doing something different.

It was an interactive theatrical experience that was quite original and uncommon. We became part of the story, and there was something satisfying about it. I could see this experience fitting into a family night out, a unique first date, and everything in between.

All characters presented the story with humour, and their quick-witted quips felt spontaneous and fresh. Once Upon a Grimm Night plays three sessions every Thursday and Friday night throughout July.

Tickets: $49
Venue: Lindesay House
1 Carthona Ave, Darling Point NSW 2027
Season run: Thursday 4 July – Friday 26 July 2024

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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Prima Facie: An Intense and Thought-Provoking Journey

4 July 2024 Davros Dark

Prima Facie Rating

★★★★★

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Prima facie—a Latin phrase meaning “at first sight” or “based on first impression”—is used in civil and criminal law to denote that a legal claim has sufficient evidence to proceed to trial upon initial examination.

Prima Facie opens with defence barrister Tessa Ensler (played by Sophia Forrest) confidently sauntering onto the stage, ready to tackle her latest court case. Tessa is in her element, prepared to interrogate and break down her witness, determined to continue a several-month winning streak. The script voices Tessa’s inner thoughts, providing a blow-by-blow account of her strategies and tactics. We learn that her impressive win streak includes several sexual assault cases.

The dialogue in this one-woman show utilizes Tessa’s internal monologue throughout, allowing us to follow her journey intimately. Through Tessa’s thoughts, we meet the significant people in her life and experience the play’s events. Sound effects skillfully enhance the emotional depth of the opening scene, conveying an additional current to Tessa’s thoughts and underlying emotions, allowing the audience to connect with her immediately.

As the play progresses, Tessa’s seemingly upward journey is disrupted by an event that leaves her questioning everything she knows. Her previously slick demeanour gives way to confusion and vulnerability, depicting the emotional turmoil of seeking justice and needing to be believed. The play explores the toll on her personal and professional life as she grapples with shattered illusions and seeks justice. Has she been unfair in her past treatment of victims in court interrogations?

What will the aftermath of this event mean for her? Will she be believed? Will justice be served? Will the perpetrator walk free? Will her voice be heard?

Congratulations must go to the production team for compiling a finely-tuned show. The set, costumes, sound, and transitions blend together seamlessly. The large stage is cleverly utilized, with versatile wooden boxes transforming into various props for each scene. The backdrop shifts smoothly, with a revolving stage component used cleverly in scene transitions, depicting locations from courtrooms to nightclubs. Visual media elements add tension at critical moments, offering visual insights into Tessa’s inner journey and effectively depicting time shifts in the play’s action.

Director: Kate Campion
Set Designer: Bruce McKinven
Set Realizer: Andy Cross
Costume Designer: Lynn Ferguson
Lighting Designer: Peter Young
Composer & Sound Designer: Melanie Robinson
Audio Visual Designer: Jessica Russell

Sophia Forrest’s outstanding performance anchors this intense one-woman show. Forrest adeptly portrays multiple roles, guiding the audience through Tessa’s transformation from a confident lawyer to a victim seeking redemption. Through the internal monologue, she effectively embodies the slick lawyer, interrogator, interrogatee, victim, daughter, sister, judge, and judged.

Enough credit cannot be given to Sophia Forrest for the remarkable effort in tackling the immense content of the role with skill and finesse. One can only imagine(shudder at) the mountains of preparation required to portray this role so successfully. A shoutout to understudy Holly Easterbrook, who must also have undertaken a similar journey in terms of effort and preparation.

The play’s heavy themes are thought-provoking and resonate deeply. You won’t necessarily leave the theatre with a light heart, but you will leave with plenty to think about, having witnessed a first-class production.

Prima Facie runs at the Heath Ledger Theatre from July 1 to July 21. Tickets range from $30.00 to $139.00.

The show lasts one hour and forty minutes without an interval. Content warnings include strong themes of sexual assault, coarse language, and the use of haze and smoke effects.

Photographer Credit: Daniel J Grant

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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