A Very Kransky Christmas | Heath Ledger Theatre | Until 15 Dec | ★ ★ ★ ★  

I’ve always had great affection for the Kransky Sisters, ever since I first saw the on the variety show In Siberia Tonight many years ago. Over the years I’ve seen them deliver their comedy on television programs, and heard them on radio countless times.

Their act is simple and effective. They’re three sisters from the remote town of Esk in Queensland who grew up spending a lot of time listening to the wireless. Older sisters Mourne and Eve tell offbeat stories about their homelife and perform songs with help from younger half-sister Dawn.

Their straight faced emotionless renditions of well known pop songs is hilarious and they have an array of unexpected instruments including a 1960’s reed keyboard, a saw, the toilet brush, tambourines, a guitar, and Dawn plays a mean tuba.

Heading into the show I wondered if their act could be sustained for a full show, and the answer is – indeed it can! It is hilarious. The show is a charming journey of anecdotes and songs. While there were some Christmas tunes, we heard songs from Simon and Garfunkel, Nana Mouskouri, as well as song great disco classics and 70’s one-hit wonders.

Mourne and Eve shared stories of lost loves, finding alternative income streams through Airbnb, adventures on the road and their convoluted family history.

As Mourne says during the show, “We’re all just odd socks in the giant washing machine in life”, and after spending an evening with these oddballs, you’ll walk out embracing your own inner-Kransky.

Graeme Watson