From the comfort of Kransky humour and enlightenment, it was clear we were in for a good night (15 December), with a Christmas twist.
Adorning extra large red bows including matching ones for their onstage guests Evan and Dave, Esk spinsters Mourne, Eve and Dawn brought the comical dysfunction and tradition that comes with Christmas, including traditions we love to persist with, despite their absurdity.
Choko baubles, family treasures and stories from the vault, awkward silences, Eve’s repetitive echoes, Dawn’s snappy Tuba playing – there was always something happening. Some artists might comfortably sit behind these talents, but not the spinsters from Esk. Their voices and instruments were like the gold leaf on the cake, those Kransky renditions we’ve all come to love were gentle yet fierce and oh-so-flawless.
Heading into the audience with their torch, smoothly snatching two men to take on stage then dressing them Kransky style had the audience in fits. The up-and-coming silent tambourine players did well to keep up with the spinsters, and left with a certificate and a sniff or two to prove it... Those testosterone energies becoming too much for Mourne at one stage.
After wiping away tears from laughter plenty of times, it was Eve’s solo rendition of 'Silent Night' that had the full house audience on edge. The queen of the musical saw, held her own, you could have heard a pin drop. As Eve played and bent her saw into its final note position, the audience roared with applause.
How the trio carried such a packed show for almost two hours, all without laughing, I don’t know, but seeing them live is definitely a must. It’s the first time I’ve come out of a show educated about Devils on Horseback and egg warmers. I look forward to their next tour coming to Perth again.
