McNirt Hates Dirt

McNirt Hates Dirt is an adorable mini-musical at Perth’s Awesome Arts Festival for Bright Young Things. This lovely short show is aimed at the very smallest of bright young things, with a suggested age of 3-5 years, and winning over many even younger than that.

Presented by a likeable young cast, it tells the story of McNirt, who insists on things being clinically clean, and his fiend Gerty, who has a passion for gardening. When Gerty heads off overseas, she entrusts McNirt with the care of a beloved house plant. McNirt then decides to create “clean dirt”. A young audience member, with the wisdom gained from four years on the planet, shook his head at this effort saying “He is not a very smart man.”

Smart or not, McNirt is very nicely played by Antoine Jelk, whose growth and learning journey allows his young audience to learn about the importance of dirt (and friendship).

Bestie Gert, gardener and traveller, is played with spark by Ashton Malcolm in a dynamic performance. Lovely support comes from guitarist Elliot Howard and Shop Keeper Rebecca Mayo - who also presides over technical aspects of the production.

Fun, almost Seussian, dialogue and some gentle songs move the story along, and there is also opportunity for some hands-on audience participation. There is a little bit of noise pollution from the new museum construction, but this doesn’t distract from the show, as the young audience are fully absorbed.

A great introduction to theatre for tiny tots or a something a little different for the preschool theatrical connoisseur, McNirt Hates Dirt is good fun.

Kimbeley Shaw