Review: Hot Water

Hot Water director Matthew Walker.

WHAT: Hot Water
WHERE: Clarence Street Theatre, Hamilton
WHEN: July 1-9
REVIEWER: Steve Scott

Oh for the 80s, when Kiwis kicked-back at the bach welcomed old friends and relations over a gin or two or three and physically socialised instead of 'meeting' over Facebook.

And so it was in laugh out loud funny Roger Hall's Hot Water at Clarence Street. Incorporating an abundance of topical themes including racist attitudes, stereotyping and
accentuated accents the characters all provided stellar performances.

Harriet Palmer's house-proud presence was captured wonderfully by Sarah Nathan while husband Arthur (Ray Powell) knew his place especially when informing her the bach had to be sold.

Enter brother Clive Palmer (Nick Wilkinson) the ever-present womaniser and his American friend Charmaine Kaminsky...'Hi I'm Charmaine and I'm from Aakron, Ohio'. With overstated accent Charmaine (Natalie Swart) blind as a bat without her glasses, played up a storm especially when taking Ray into the hot pools by mistake.

Time for another gin, a game or two of bridge then kapow, Jim Naylor (Falstaff Dowling-Mitchell) in black singlet announces in broad Scottish accent that deer poachers are on the loose and the stage is set for intrigue, bodies on top and under sofas, shot guns at the ready and poor ol' granny (welcome back Jan Hedge) taking countless visits to the toilet.

And did I mention that darling daughter Susie (Ruby Lyon) suddenly springs it on Mum and Dad that she has married Rangi - a Maori! Harriet is aghast! But Rangi (played with wit and humour by Antony Aiono) has more than one trick up his sleeve.

Interspersed with songs from the '80s including Slice Of Heaven, Don't Dream It's Over and imaginative stage direction from Matthew Walker, Hot Water is written about New Zealanders for a New Zealand audience. It is an absolute hoot.