Fully Sikh | State Theatre Centre | Until 3 November | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa shines in this fun and fast paced show from Barking Gecko and Black Swan State Theatre Company. in a whirlwind 75 minute performance she takes into her teenage world where a culture clash of traditional values and modern Australia. It’s a place where the Spice Girls battle it out with the skill of making a good spice mix.
Khalsa is an acclaimed spoken word artists, and while the art form is often maligned, she shows us why she’s a master wordsmith, delivering rhymes that are filled with comedy and hard hitting emotional moments.
She’s joined on stage by the talented Pavan Hari who provides music with a delightful mix of traditional instruments and found objects. He also has his own moments in the spotlight, showing that he too can create a comical character, and it raised this work up to being more than a one woman show.
Khalsa takes us on a journey into her teenage world which is filled with strict parents, annoying siblings, gossiping aunties and high expectations. Juxtaposed against this is pop music, peer pressure, bullying and teenage crushes.
Set designer Ilsa Shaw has created an amazing set that continuously transforms into different places, including teenage bedrooms, lounge rooms, swimming pools, Woolworths and everywhere else this sprawling tale takes us.
This clever and hilariously funny show takes us into one facet of multicultural Australia, and if you grew up in a house with parent’s who emigrated to this country, you’ll relate to many of the tales and scenarios that are shared.
This is a wonderful show that’s filled with positivity, comedy and flair. Extra shows have been added due to it’s popularity, head to the State Theatre Centre to see Black Swan’s last offering for 2019.
Fully Sikh is running until 3rd November, head to Black Swan State Theatre Company to get tickets.
Graeme Watson, Image: Daniel James Grant
