'A Very Kransky Christmas' is charming and macabre

Holiday traditions differ around the world, and every family has a unique way of celebrating those things that are important to them. The Kransky Sisters in particular have a unique and wonderfully macabre take on the Christmas season, which fortunately for us they have taken on the road in A Very Kransky Christmas.

A loose narrative of Christmas’ past is built up between ingenious takes on songs old and new. The jokes carried punchlines which were reminiscent of the nativity - such as Frank and his incense - and varied widely between bittersweet and gross-out humour in style.

Made up of sisters Mourne and Eve Kransky and their half sister Dawn, the Kransky women are blissfully ignorant of the modern world and live in a self contained bubble in Esk, Queensland. Eve Kransky is a shadow of her sister Mourne, echoing her words as her hand flutters to her chest. Much of the humour comes when she, or her half sister Dawn, challenge Mournes authority or version of events.

The highlight of our evening was certainly the audience members. Requiring a special talent all its own, Eve was able to pick two men who played their part perfectly - with just the right amount of flirtation to charm not only Mourne, Eve and Dawn, but the audience as well. Indeed, the refrain of “Eve, a husband is not a stocking filler” is fast becoming an in joke for my friend and I.

The Kransky Sisters are, more than anything else, immensely talented musicians. The schtick - the lonely, spinstered sisters from the outback, is a vehicle for takes on musical numbers which are somehow simultaneously elaborate and simple.

Make sure you catch them when they’re next in town.

4/5