The Carpenters from Kempsey

Singer Karen Carpenter died in her prime almost 40 years ago, but entertainers Darren Mapes and Debora Krizak are keeping the flame going with their hilarious tuneful schtick. 

According to the opening song the Carpenters from Kempsey were holed up in their home during the great flood of 1994 when they chanced upon a record of the American country singers. 

The catchy music cast a magic spell over them, and sharing the same name and looks the duo created their own quirky spin off show.

Looking back at old music video clips, the pair have the awkward Carpenter haircuts and wholesome costumes down to a T.

They don’t like rap or acid jazz or heavy metal rock but instead they dust off old classics including “Top of the World”, “Close to You” and “Yesterday Once More”. 

The theme for the concert at the Paddington RSL was Christmas in July. Sitting next to us at our table was a bonified groupie who had walked ten kilometres to see the performance. The middle-aged fan boy academic opined that he had to make do with virtual concerts during the pandemic.

It is easy to understand why the combination of hummable tunes and gags has appeal. On our night a bit of audience participation was thrown in – in the guise of rattling our car keys during jingle bells.

Mapes and Krizak are master comedians and play each other like an instrument - squeezing laughs with glances.

Sharon or Shaz is a real trooper who keeps performing whilst her fiancé sadly remains holed up in Grafton jail.

The children’s choir she has brought along for the performance mercifully don’t make it to the stage.

Darren or Daz gets by despite failing a recent written exam for a job as a baggage handler.

The dynamic duo poke fun at themselves, political correctness, and milked a singalong ovation that left the fanboy on our table fully charged for his long walk home. 

David Spicer