MICF: The Travelling Sisters

Bouncing on stage at the Malthouse Theatre is The Travelling Sisters with their highly physical, highly humorous new show Thy – Thus – ‘Twas. After a series of COVID-related setbacks the past two years, Lucy Fox, Laura Trenerry and Ell Sachs return to the stage fully prepared to own the space and robe up as three blokes with noble aspirations of pulling off an epic show, talent be damned!  

Running shows till 24 April 2022, Thy – Thus – ‘Twas is a fast-paced, absurd and hilarious comedy narrative that focuses on a trio of young boys with bold aspirations. Darryl (Fox), Vinny (Trenerry) and Berrick (Sachs) are self-proclaimed thespians with mullets and mummy issues. 

Inspired by a vision to create something truly memorable, they transform their mothers’ homes into rehearsal spaces – with mixed results. Generating laughter throughout the show, Darryl is characterised as the mastermind of the play, Berrick is eager to please and tries to nail a crying scene without sounding like a monkey, and Vinny morphs into a cold-blooded killer. 

Along the frenetic ride from script reads to set dressing, cracks emerge within the group. Who here has ever dreaded hearing the word ‘disappointed’ from their mum? Berrick does. Berrick’s mum is a psychologist who “counsels” clients upstairs, Vinny’s mum tends to her beehives and Cheryl, and Darryl’s mum loves butterfly stroke. 

Postulating themselves to be Australia’s next Kath and Kim, The Travelling Sisters do well in depicting a quintessential Australian world. The physicality Fox, Trenerry and Sachs bring to the roles is outstanding. The dialogue and comedic timing is well played and on the mark – they manage to successfully balance the footy-clubroom banter of teenagers with fancy wordplay. Even when there is a wardrobe malfunction (glasses falling off), Sachs is a master of owning the space.

Thy – Thus – ‘Twas is a high-intensity, hilarious show that needs to be seen. 

Thy – Thus – ‘Twas
Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, 3006
On stage till 24 April 2022
comedyfestival.com.au/2022/shows/traveling-sisters-thy-thus-twas