Presented by The Feisty Women of Oz
Reviewed 12 March 2020
This wonderful fun production has a serious message: they really want to draw attention to elder abuse, which is rife in our society but stays so well hidden most of the time. With their pianist, Janice Beavan and their artistic director Jo Cahill these feisty women keep their audience entertained even when they make you want to cry. Norma Bastock, Halcyon Evans, Maz Goldrick, Itojo Hardie, Fiona Ninnes, Brigid Sen, Mary Smith, Ruth Thompson, Rita Tratt and Miranda Walker are certainly old, they range in age from 60s to 90s and no-one would dispute that they are feisty, but there is a lot of life in this show.
Some of these women have been confirmed feminists since they burnt their bras, and the production does include such songs as I Am Woman, but in most of these songs they have changed the words to emphasis their message. So, we get some of the Beatles songs with new lyrics, When I’m Sixty-Four, Help, Yesterday etc. mixed with stories acted out by the women and skits about elder problems. One song with different lyrics has a completely changed meaning, When We Get Behind Closed Doors. Elder abuse takes many forms, physical, emotional, sexual, financial and just plain bullying. We seldom see it and often they are too scared to talk if anyone will listen. Strangely enough this uncomfortable subject is dealt with laced with humour and understanding.
Two of their final songs need no lyric changes, Respect and Always Look on the Bright Side! This played to a mixed audience, a fair number that were in the same age bracket but a good smattering of young folk too! I think I’ll leave the last word to one of the young ladies who were sat behind me, ‘What a Hoot!”.
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: Mainstage Bakehouse Theatre
Season: 12-14 March
Duration: 50 mins
Tickets: $25
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/don-t-knock-your-granny-af2020
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