Talking House is well known in Dunedin for creating community based projects, especially in the very community-minded North East Valley. Most, if not all, performers reside in the Valley and the vast majority are not ‘performers’ per se, and are led by professionals.

Oxford describes Cabaret as “entertainment held in a nightclub or restaurant while audience eat or drink at tables” and while it may not be a restaurant or nightclub, St Martin’s hall has tables, Emersons and a nightclub atmosphere as designed by Jamie Durie; and the food is to come later!

The hall has been decorated and dressed with heaps of foliage around the wall which gives off the most amazing smell as you enter and as the night progresses, whiffs of flower scent are delightful. Vast hangings of green and brown silk put a back to the prosc arch and fit in wonderfully with the rustic feel of this historic hall.

A raised stage holds the ‘Superbum (it’s Latin – not two words put together) and The Good Seeds’. Ukulele, autoharp, harmonica, drums, banjo and keyboards already in flight in a medley of botanic themed songs such as ‘Tip Toe Through The Tulips’. Their early settler-like attire makes me feel like we’re in a local music hall and there is a palpable buzz among the local audience.

Primarily this is the Valedictory speech by Professor Vulgaris (Clare Adams) on the Morality of Plants. She launches into her speech from her well-leafed lectern sounding like a cross between Prof Sprout and Dame Malvina Major. At first I find it difficult to hear her clearly but Adams (who also directed) takes charge of the evening with her usual gusto. After a quite exquisite a cappella duet by Lynn Vare and Inge Andrews, we move into Autumn and through the seasons.

Prof V introduces us to her marching band, ‘The Deadheads’, resplendent in 1950’s garb complete with bathing cap floral headwear and oversized secateurs. Somewhat a cross between Calendar Girls and a Nanna’s Army, the Deadheads is the North East Valley Community Choir. Between sections and characters they sing ‘As We Go Marching’, ‘The Winter is Cold’, and other songs to highlight and backdrop the action. They really get into the action, pruning and prodding the audience and – during interval – providing light refreshments such as asparagus rolls, chocolate cake and cucumber sandwiches, which are very much appreciated by all.

As well as the wonders of the botanic bed, three wankery weeds pop their heads above the mulch. ‘Morning Glory’, in a fantastic multi-handed costume, tries to win us over in a political style broadcast to the wonders of weeds, and also genetic engineering. As MG (Kaitrin McMullen), all American smooth talk and oily, wins a lot of laughs with her witty speech.

Ben Blakely plays two characters: first as ‘Teenanger’ – a funny spoof on a mopey teenage seed awaiting germination, at odds with his more beautiful blooming sister and accompanied by the Deadheads with ‘Inchworm’ – then as ‘Old Man’s Beard’, looking like a demented plant version of the Spirit of Christmas Buried.

The delightfully festive and mischievous ‘Mistletoe’ (Tahu MacKenzie) completes the trio with a great version of ‘Fever’ that really gies off with a bang – literally, much to the audience’s delight.

Highlights of the evening are ‘Blue Skies’ with all the company (a complex arrangement handled very well, though I would have liked more of Adams during this) and a most touching dance by John and Sue Marshall to Inge Andrew’s original song ‘You Leave’. The song is incredibly beautiful and moving, and the pleasure of watching two dancers simply dancing as though at an old time dance touches the heart when John is left on his own as Sue leaves the hall. Brilliant .

Adams uses the space well, utilising the stage and the hall entrance to keep our focus and attention on the move. She gets great performances from the ‘non-performers’ too.  The stage/hall dressing and costumes are fantastic: Sharon Matthews has had a great deal of fun here and it shows, providing a wide range of great cosies for all, especially the Weeds.

A big bouquet to all. 

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