 |
| Kieren McGrath (Mr Twit) - Judy Hainsworth (Mrs Twit) |
Adapted
by Nelle Lee - Directed by Ross Balbuziente
Designed
by Josh McIntosh – Lighting designed by Jason Glenwright
Sound
Design – Guy Webster.
The
Q, Queanbeyan – July 13 – 15, 2023
Performance
on July 13 reviewed by Bill Stephens
If you’re a fan of Roald Dahl’s
books you probably know about The Twits. Possibly the nastiest most disgusting
couple you could ever hope to meet The
Twits delight in competing with each other to see who can be the meanest and most
gross.
Therefore you would think that
meeting them in person would be something to avoid. However in Shake & Stir
Theatre Company’s production the experience turns out to be sheer delight from
start to finish.
Billy Foggarty (Claudette) - Will Carseldine (Maverick) - Reagan Mannix (Rex)
Played out in a magical circus
setting designed by Josh McIntosh, complete with revolving stage and masses of
colourful festoon lighting that reaches right out into the auditorium, the
audience is introduced to The Twits by a vivacious, brightly costumed trio,
Maverick (Will Carseldine), Claudette ( Billy Fogarty) and Rex (Reagan
Mannix).
Together they keep up a running
commentary on the action, manipulate an endless supply of clever props and
generally do their best to wrangle the mayhem resulting from the antics of the
revolting Twits, played with irresistible gusto by Kieren McGrath (Mr Twit) and
Judy Hainsworth (Mrs Twit).
Director Ross Balbuziente does
his best to keep things as tasteful as possible given the subject matter which
had the young audience (as well as your usually po-faced reviewer) squirming
with delight.
However it’s a losing battle
given Nelle Lee’s delicious adaptation, which thankfully ignores the current
campaign to clean up Roald Dahl. So there are plenty of fart jokes, and jokes
about snot, bodily functions and general grossness to keep the kids gleefully
sniggering at their parents, and grandparents, reactions.
This production is currently
touring nationally. The production
values and performances are first rate, actually too good for kids, so when it
gets to your town, don’t resist temptation, find the nearest kid as cover, and
get yourself along. You’ll be glad you did.
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
