Reviews

Get out your Jatz crackers and apple on sticks – the Kransky Sisters have driven their little red Morris all the way from Esk to bring you some early Christmas cheer. And these girls know how to throw a party – just don’t ask Graham Roach, the pest controller who still hasn’t been seen since attending to the Kransky’s Airbnb’s spider infestation.

Rockingham Theatre closed 2022 with this nicely produced incarnation of Ray Cooney’s farce It Runs in the Family. A well-paced comedy with lots of running in and out of doors and mistaken identities, as Dr. Mortimore attempts to deliver the Ponsonby Lecture in an international conference, while fending off a paternity suit, an ex-wife, an emotional teenage daughter he didn’t know he had and a variety of crazy people.

“It’s Sydney. It’s Boxing Day. And it’s stinking hot. Grandad Stephen was the BBQ King and his adult children have gathered to honour his memory …”

Family traditions often outlive their raison d’etre. Sometimes it’s better just to let them go! But Peter is determined to honour his father’s legacy despite the heat, a bush fire burning not far away and the apparent indifference of the rest of the family.

Roxy Lane’s contribution to pantomime season is this “wicked” little pantomime with a clever script. Playing to capacity crowds, with lots of matinees, this is a child-friendly production with lots of colour.

Charlie Baker is a very likeable Dorothy who anchors the show well, while also doing double duty as the show’s musical director. Her famous friends are played with great teamwork by Ethan Battle (lots of personality as Scarecrow, Teale Harrison as Tin Man and Made Kate as the Cowardly Lion.