The multi-talented Kransky Sisters are bringing their award-winning kookiness and Christmas cheer back to Brisbane in December with their show 'A Very Very Kransky Christmas’.
The three-piece band is renowned for its unique interpretations of the “modern songs” the sisters heard on the 'wireless' [old-school radio].
The Kransky Sisters' singer, guitarist, tambourinist, biscuit-tin player, cheese-grater musician and kitchen-pot performer Mourne Kransky reinterprets modern tunes and classic carols for the show. “It is good to interpret the songs in your own way, isn't it?
“When we listen to the wireless, they don't always play the song more than once, so we have to pick up on the tune ourselves or we have to wait for the wireless to play it again so we can hear more of the tune.
“We fill in the gaps with what we know and that's how the songs turn out, but people do recognise them, they just have to listen for a little longer, you know.”
The sisters say their musical talents were discovered when a hometown local's rottweiler wandered into their front yard. “The dog stopped to defecate on our front lawn and [a local] stopped and heard us and put us on at the local RSL Club. Ever since that we've been performing there and all over the world,” Mourne says.
The sisters (Mourne, Eve and Dawn) all had equal say in the creation of the festive show; always keeping it in the family. “It is certainly good to have some family ties. After all, blood is thicker than water, isn't it? But not everyone enjoys a glass of blood when they're thirsty.”
Between musical numbers in 'A Very Very Kransky Christmas’, Mourne likes to share family Christmas traditions with the audience. “It was lovely to think about what Christmas means to us and what we do at Christmas.
“We would write down all the things we do, the traditions we've always carried out at home and tell the lovely people what we do, and share our Christmas with them. It was quite a joy to put together.
“[We] go outside and pay homage to our Uncle Bellamy, the grave. His skeleton's still in the back of the lawn. It was one Christmas he unfortunately died at the hand of one of his own inventions. He was the inventor of many practical things around the house. We'll tell you in our show,” she says.
The women are notorious for speaking out about their bad love lives throughout their shows, and things have not improved for them. “Well, I certainly keep a secret eye out, you know? One can't be too complacent. Brush your hair and put a little bit of lipstick on, now and then.
“Eve certainly had an interest in the local butcher and the local butcher was interested in Eve but she's now a vegetarian. Eve doesn't like sausages. Dawn has never looked at a man and she's happy.”
Mourne cites her musical inspirations from ‘the tunes on the wireless’. “We love Michael Jackson; modern songs. I love Robbie Williams, myself. He's very nice,” she says.
– written by Jessamy Tredinnick
A Very Very Kransky Christmas Shows
Fri 2 Dec - Tank Arts Centre (Cairns)8-10 Dec - Space Theatre @ Adelaide Festival Centre
16-17 Dec - Seymour Centre (Sydney)
20-24 Dec - QPAC (Brisbane)
