Review – The Kransky Sisters: Piece of Cake
The Kransky Sisters are a musical trio from Esk in Queensland – Mourne, Eve and Dawn. These sisters (well, two sisters and a half sister, which the hapless Dawn is never allowed to forget) travel Australia in their 1958 Morris Minor, telling stories from their rather old-fashioned lives and playing a few tunes they’ve heard on the wireless.
The Kransky Sisters have been performing for years – you might have seen them play a song here and there on Spicks and Specks or the Sideshow. Those brief glimpses don’t do these incredible performers justice. Musical comedy acts can be a bit of a risk – too often, performers have one or two well-known good songs and a lot of mediocre filler. This is assuredly not the case here.
From a primly arranged performance of “All the Single Ladies” to an extremely polished and hilarious cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (“The Queen must have been up all night writing that,” Mourne observes solemnly) the show moves seamlessly from strength to strength. I’d mention more songs, but it wouldn’t do to spoil the surprise. The focus is on the comedy, but that doesn’t hide the talent of each performer. The three-part harmonies in particular are beautifully arranged and sung.
And by virtue of their determinedly solemn performances, they’re extremely funny. Mourne is the stern matriarch of the family, keeping her sisters in line and even picking on the audience. Eve’s unearthly stare and echoing contributions are eerily hilarious. And the beleaguered, almost silent Dawn conveys so much without a single (spoken) word. They work as a perfect example of a comic ensemble, accentuating and highlighting one another’s strengths with their quirky, gently disturbing comedy.
This is one of the pricier Fringe shows, but it’s well worth it. Check them out on YouTube – there’s no shortage of material, though their new show is predominantly new stuff, as it should be. Then book your tickets.
