Sud Stories

‘Sud Stories’ devised, written and performed by Janette McGinty is an Australian First. This Jo Marsh production is showing at the Blue Room Theatre Studio, 53 James Street, Northbridge until the 27^th August. All of the 50-minutes performances start at 8.30 pm.

 

As soon as Glaswegian Janette McGinty appears on stage, with her cheeky-wee-grin, you know that you are in for a funny show. Her energy filled performances and immediate connection with her audience, puts her straight amongst the best comics in WA.

 
 

        On your arrival in the theatre you are shown into Janette’s bathroom, where she greets each person individually. Even though for most people their shower time is private time, Janette has surveyed some of Perth’s scrubbers and discovered just what they do in the warm water.

        Alone in the shower, could there be things that we do in Australia that the Brits wouldn’t even think of – other than looking under the soap! Whilst singing and gyrating, Janette shamelessly demonstrated how she washes her oxters!!

        Is the bathroom a place solely for cleansing? Or can other joys be found when one’s conscience and scruples are always there, looking over your shoulder. Janette’s zany conscience and wacky free spirit appears in the form of a large foam sponge (Nate Doherty).

        There is a short comical video on how to save water in a drought, and with a good Scottish background, how to save money on luxuriant shower gels. She recalls her holidays ‘doon the watta’ in Saltcoats and the primitive bathing conditions of the family’s holiday cottage.

         In the shower you can be anyone that you wish to be. You can do what you want, and be ‘adventurous’ in your search for the perfect shower experience. Will Janette find hers? Or more to the point will she boldly share it with us?

  

 

Janette tries everything in this 50-minute piece. There is dancing, singing (movement dramaturgy by Michelle Outram), video and of course, humour. Much of it works very well, although there was the odd piece that could be edited out, but there again even such triumphs such as ‘Monty Python’ had its peaks and troughs. Her enthusiasm and drive didn’t flag for a second. A few months ago, Nate Doherty had the audience in fits whilst he related his trip to a foreign, elderly relative’s house, here he is the quiet observer who leads or joins in with Janette as she explores her wonderful bathroom world. This saucy lass boldly goes where no woman has gone before in a stage bathroom – including David Hare’s 1998 play ‘The Blue Room’.

 

The shower tales that were related had one saying ‘surely no one would do that!’ and then the next minute the action is so near the truth that you will be wondering if Janette has a camera in your own bathroom. Nevertheless, even though I prefer Janette’s stand-up comedy, or straight relating of a yarn, this is a clever show that has a unique madcap presentation, you will be grinning all of the way home.