Heart-warming, fast-paced, hilarious and telling our New Zealand stories – Centrepoint delivers just what the Doctor ordered for the beginning of winter: a dose of fun.

The multiple Shortland Street stories, blended together into this script by Guy Langford and Simon Bennet, are absurd and all the more loveable for it. It is a parody of the soap opera, so we should expect utter madness. On opening night the audience laughs, moans, groans, oooohs and ahhhhs at the various incidents: jilted love, medical crises, accidents and cocky behaviour. But the script is clever and in the craziness of it all, like in all good stories, we can see ourselves.

There are those desperately wanting a baby, those unexpectedly having a baby, those wanting a partner or career success, those confused in love. On the other side sits an institutional system that is sexist, racist and wants profit over health care. There are enough jibes at that to be clever and satisfying, as well as plenty of general ‘soap’.

Many of the stories are from actual plots in the TV show. So if you’ve been a fan from the beginning, there are plenty of triggers from the past – starting with the very first series in 1992 which started, as the Musical does, with a pregnant woman being rushed in after an accident. This leads to the famous line: “You’re not in Guatemala now Dr Ropata.” And the Guatemala link is explored from any funny angles in this show.

Centrepoint uses Shortland Street the Musical for its very effective Open Stage production, where it provides opportunities for actors in our community to be part of a professional production – an amazing learning and polishing experience. All these actors rise to the occasion brilliantly. It is a stellar cast; led by the dynamic Roy Snow as Chris Warner and the cool Blair Strang as Hone Ropata, the Open Stage actors are wonderful.

In particular, Indiya Henman is an excellent Jaki Manu and Andrew Hodgson is a sensitive and credible Lionel Skeggins. The choreography by Darlene Mohekey and local choreographer Dean McKerras is wonderfully complementary to the acting. From goofy and nerdy to the vainglorious it magnifies the characters and the plot as good choreography ought to.

The ‘pièce de résistance’ is the tap dancing muffins, though ‘Be a Villain’ comes a very close second. Excellent music is provided by the Musical Director and Band Leader Kane Parsons, supported by a range of local musicians including Connor Hurnard from Palmerston North Boys’ High School.

Ironically this very New Zealand musical is great for people who either love or hate Shortland Street the TV serial. It takes the piss out of Shortland Street at the same time making it great fun and endearing.

Writer Guy Langford says, “My hope is that together we can laugh, cry, take a look at ourselves and our neighbours, feel lighter, more connected and proud.” Yes we do – thank you Guy, Simon, the cast and Centrepoint Theatre, it is a great and hilarious night out! 

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