Comedy Carousel

Garrick Theatre Club’s Comedy Carousel was an evening of three comic one act plays, combining to make an evening of very varied entertainment. 

Kicking off the evening was the lengthily titled All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Murder Mystery by Werner Treischmann. Directed by Ali Louise, making her directorial debut, who was mentored by Rebekah Hannah. This ridiculous (and at times quite funny) little script is usually performed by high school groups, and at times it felt a little young for this cast. Lots of hard work in this large and enthusiastic cast, including Erin Shay Horrigan stepping out of the audience to narrate and Julia Webster as a dotty, caffeine addicted director. Cambrian Price was efficient as the Stage Manager, while Kirsty Plews made a welcome return to the stage after a very lengthy absence as a mad accent coach. 

While this one didn’t quite reach its full potential, there was plenty to admire, with its large cast having fun, and a promising directorial debut.

Sean Guy plays are proving quite popular of late, and we had yet another fun show in the form of Therapy Go Round. Nicely directed by Carly Ranger, it featured Lis Hoffman as an unconventional psychiatrist, Kylie Calwell as her assistant Janine and Casey Smith as unfortunate client Brooke. Three strong performances, in this ‘played in real time’, slightly absurdist therapy session.

A solid play that ran well.

The Heist is written by local writer Shirley Toohey, but set in New York, where a bridge party attended by four elderly women is interrupted by a criminal on the run. Expertly directed by Lynne Devenish, this well-written show was pacy and exciting. The four women were fabulously characterised. Colleen Johnson, I believe playing ‘up in age’ the most of the quartet, delivered what might be her best performance to date as Polish-American matriarch Muriel. Karin Staflund was an absolute delight as Camila, stealing scenes. Marsha Holt, as Jewish-American holocaust survivor Ingrid, gave a performance of great depth, with Julie Holmshaw played Delia of many successive husbands with great sass.

A little charmer of a show, this will be one to watch come awards season.

The three shows featured clever lighting design from Don Allen and efficient sound design by Geoff Holt.

A great way to launch Garrick’s theatrical year!

Kimberley Shaw