The Kransky Sisters | A Cracker Kransky Christmas
December 16, 2023, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, NSW
I sat down in the cavernous theatre, the stage set with a variety of slightly baffling items, the Christmas chokos and multiple portraits of the Queen created a curious atmosphere. The Kransky Sisters, in their odd modesty, portray a side of Australia (and a humour) that isn’t often advertised.
The Kransky Sisters are amazingly talented and so much thought was put into every aspect of the show. They were so characterised, every movement and expression was calculated and curated for their personas. Dawn Kransky was mostly silent but her eyebrow raises and slight frowns were enough to leave you howling. Morn and Eve Kransky were both rather libidinous, which mixed with their unspoken abstinence made for some very funny skits and songs. Morn was the lead sister and took a strong disliking to Dawn (when Dawn’s father came, Morn and Eve’s father left, this created some tension between the brothers (and the sisters)). While the music was only a part of this performance, it was incredibly clever, the sounds produced from a bow being drawn over the dull edge of a saw was not at all what I would have thought it to be; strangely angelic.
The whole evening had me in stitches, I never thought I’d hear Ghostbusters, Thunderstruck and Deck the Halls being played consecutively but I’m so glad that I did. The strong focus on audience engagement was another aspect of this performance that made it so unforgettable, it did almost feel as though we were in their “very large lounge room.”
Their dry humour mixed with their social estrangement was a sight to behold with the sisters telling stories of their short-comings and hilarious adventures. I distinctly remember Craig Roach, the pest man, whom both Morn and Eve Kransky took a liking to and decided to lure him to their attic and take his ladder. This inspired the song Toxic by Brittney Spears (but with a twist).
The highlight of the show was when ‘Mark’ was invited on stage to join in a few songs. He was dressed in the proper Kransky attire; a black fringed wig on top of his bald head, a white spotted blouse, a large red bow, and a black shin-length skirt. With passion and vigour, Mark commenced his musical magic, waving his bells and streamers leaving the audience roaring with laughter. I’m not sure what I expected this evening, but I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. It was a truly wonderful night in a truly wonderful venue.
