All the Things I Wish I Could Be so enthralled young audience members that they joined the performers onstage. Photo / Abby Dalgety
All the Things I Wish I Could Be so enthralled young audience members that they joined the performers onstage. Photo / Abby Dalgety
What: All the Things I Wish I Could Be
When: February 22
Where: Hamilton Arts Festival – Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa
Reviewed by Abby Dalgety
Tom Knowles and Jed Parsons (aka Jeff Parsnips) come together for their fantastic musical adventure show, All the Things I Wish I Could Be, partof Hamilton Arts Festival – Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa.
Costumed as caricatures of the “embarrassing dad”, wearing matching jorts, rugby jerseys, bum bags, dad sneakers and high-striped athletic socks, the two performers immediately set a playful and humorous tone.
The show had something for everyone, some funny one-liners to make the adults laugh, playful interactions directed at the younger audience, catchy songs, and dad dance moves.
Tom and Jed held the audience’s attention throughout the entire show with their humorous storytelling and, honestly, surprisingly strong songwriting.
At one point, they referred to themselves as “pretty much the Beastie Boys”, a joke that went over the heads of the younger audience members but drew laughs from the more seasoned crowd (those born in the 1900s), who appreciated the absurd comparison in true Kiwi humour and, somehow, almost agreed.
A strong song highlight was Tomato Tamati, a catchy tune about a boy named Tamati obsessed with tomato sauce.
The song included a hilarious skit break to eat a chocolate brownie covered in tomato sauce, which the audience found disgustingly funny.
Tom Knowles and Jed Parsons perform their musical All the Things I Wish I Could Be. Photo / Abby Dalgety
The audience ultimately decided the success of the show.
Just over halfway through, a crowd of kids rushed onto the stage, so captivated by the musical storytelling that they simply wanted more.
And honestly, that is the true sign of a great children’s performance.
There were small details I really enjoyed and which emphasised the dad personas, such as Jeff Parsnips’ bejewelled guitar, a true sign of a girl-dad; and when the crowd of kids ascended on to the stage (which the duo mentioned doesn’t usually happen), Dad Tom ensured no one would fall off.
This was a wonderful addition to the Hamilton Arts Festival, and I hope they return to entertain us again soon.
Abby Dalgety is a tutor at the School of Media Arts at Wintec in Hamilton.She has been writing reviews for Waikato Herald since 2023.
