‘Kiwifruits’ at the Wakefield Village Hall
Written by Carl Nixon and Craig Cooper, performed by Wakefield Country Players and directed by Hugh Neill
Reviewed by Trish Sullivan
Wakefield Country Players’ show was postponed from earlier in the year and I am very glad they finally got to perform it.
Director Hugh Neill has obviously kept energies intact over the eight month hiatus to bring us a sensational evening’s entertainment.
Kiwifruits – A New Zealand Fairy Tale, loosely based on the Cinderella story, sees Fay Gay explaining to fellow drag performer, Titania, the story of how the ill-fated Crown Road Tavern was saved by her drag show.
The BYO picnic theatre at the Wakefield Hall perfectly suits this show, set in a working men’s pub.
It’s almost like we are right there with publican Rex Corona (Dean Strasser) as he worries about the fate of his premises.
As the story unfurls, we are treated to an extravaganza of classic drag queen show tunes and hundreds of the obligatory sequins. Yes, the costumes are utterly fabulous!
It is clear that Keith Marshall, as the wonderful Fay Gay, has a wealth of experience on the drag stage, and the dresses and accessories are apparently almost entirely from his personal collection.
There are some lovely moments between Allison (Krystal Hollis) and her Prince, Ben (Hayden Waller) as their relationship blossoms. Of course, they have artfully played distractions – slutty Serena (Lydia Dunn) and Allison’s mother Erica (Rae Strasser), neither of whom help the course of true love, but we do eventually reach a resolution … of sorts.
A special mention to a very convincing drag queen, Adam Stewart as Titania. The subtle flicks of the hair or occasional wink at an audience member had us totally under her spell.
Congratulations to everyone who had to negotiate the steps in six-inch stilettos and to the backstage crew assisting with the extensive costume changes.
This modern-day fairy tale has all the usual plot twists and villains, and of course a big finale reveal (in more ways than one) but this very special show just has us laughing and applauding from the very first scene.
An utterly fabulous night out was had by all, and I can definitely recommend it – you will not be disappointed.
‘Kiwifruits’ is on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November and then Wednesday 18, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November.
Tickets for the R16 show are $20. To book, email [email protected] or phone (03) 5418869.
