REHEARSING: From left, actor Kobie Nortje and director Sian Davis at the Howick Little Theatre during preparations for the season of Summer Wonderland. Times photo Bruce Nicholson.

• Howick and Botany Times

SUMMER WONDERLAND. Genre: Comedy. Written by: Matthew Ryan
Directed by: Sian Davis.
Times rating:

STREWTH! A true-blue Australian comedy sets a competitive Christmas scene at the Howick Little Theatre and none of the characters play fair.

An adults-only production, Summer Wonderland is rife with Australian crass and over-the-top typical Aussie characters. If you’re into Aussie humour, you’ll adore this play.

Getting you somewhat into the Christmas spirit, the plot centres around three suburban households all tangled up in a fight for a $100,000 prize for the best decorated house, where everything and anything ‘below the belt’ goes to get their hands on the cash.

It’s a pleasant light night out, the script and delivery is easily digestible.

Overall, this play sets a fun mood, drawing the audience into seeing the silly side of competitive behaviour as it escalates into the outrageous.

Like most things Australian, there are funny profanities but nothing shocking. The dialogue is appropriately saturated in Aussie lack of tact, which is fairly well executed by the actors.

Each of the actors, bar the lead Mark Gosper who plays Foster Jones, plays two characters.

Gillian Anderson’s accents and inflections stand out as she switches from a Russian mail-order bride to a ‘wannabe Aussie yuppie’ throughout the performance.

Full of Christmas frivolity, all those attending will be able to take a small gift of laughter home with them. 

• Summer Wonderland, Howick Little Theatre, Sir Lloyd Drive, Pakuranga. On now until December 5 at 8pm, with a matinee on November 22 at 6pm. For bookings, phone the theatre on 534-1406.