HOOTENANNY!
Joff Schmidt | CBC News | Posted: July 23, 2017 3:33 PM | Last Updated: July 23, 2017
This hilarious production is one for kids of all ages - except for actual kids
Rating: ★★★★
Company: Smith & Somers
Genre: Musical
Venue: 6 - Tom Hendry Warehouse
Australian kids' performers Hoot and Annie are giving their final performance — but not before they unpack some of the baggage they've accumulated in their years working together.
All that makes for comedy that's outrageously funny, sometimes fairly inappropriate and decidedly not kid-friendly — along with a few heartstring-tugging moments — in this romp from writer/performers Kate Smith and Will Somers.
It starts with a bang, including some great video segments (a bit with some fairly personal questions from young fans is hilarious) and a few ill-advised kids' songs (like the one about how kids who don't do their chores get a spank — or get sold to the workhouse.)
Their characters are sharply defined and they've got great comic timing.
Comedy that's outrageously funny, sometimes fairly inappropriate and decidedly not kid-friendly. - Joff Schmidt
Hootenanny! does start to run out of steam a bit, but comes back with a strong ending that unexpectedly shifts the tone.
Check this one out — but leave the kids at home.