“Is this show the answer to bridging the urban/rural divide?” show creators Amelia Dunbar and Emma Newborn ask in jest. Their answer nails it: “Probably not, but you should come anyway.”

Sons of a Bitch is Dunbar and Newborn’s hilarious sequel to The Bitches Box. Aimed at farmers and rural communities, the show (a double-bill with singer/songwriter Mel Parsons) is playing in 20 venues across the rural South Island. The Luggate show is one of just a handful not held in woolsheds.

Two country dogs, Russ and Jack, find themselves at the vet’s after a ride on the back of the ute. Dunbar and Newborn share an uncanny ability to emulate a dog’s expression and physicality: blissed out with the air blowing their ears (hair?) back (cue the wind machine) is just one example.

The reason for their appointment at the vet is slowly revealed as along the way they meet and mingle, as only dogs can, with a series of townie dogs: human social constraints definitely do not apply. The mix of canine characteristics and physical comedy has the Luggate audience shouting and crying with laughter.

If anthropomorphism is the main joke here, the dogs are in on it too; as when Jack tells neurotic pooch Pee-Pee his allergies are just his human’s projection. It’s the anthropomorphism which makes the sexual references so funny but, at times, ever-so-slightly discomfiting. Analysis aside, Sons of a Bitch is hysterically funny and feel-good (those Jack Russells sure know how to dance).

Sons of a Bitch is preceded by Mel Parsons’ hour-long acoustic set, based on her latest, award-winning album Drylands. With her dry, self-deprecating humour, lovely voice and skilled guitar playing, she entertains and impresses in equal measure.

The double bill is organised by Farmstrong to bring theatre, music and comedy to the heart of the country and give farmers a good night out socialising. If last night’s rowdy, high-spirited crowd at the Luggate Hall is anything to go by, the initiative is a great success.  

Organisers indicate the show may travel to the North Island later this year. Whether you’re a country bumpkin or a city slicker, you’re guaranteed a great night out if it comes to a woolshed near you. 

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Currently doing a woolshed tour of the south island, this great pairing of the second show from The Bitches Box team – Amelia Dunbar and Emma Newborn with Sons of a Bitch – and New Zealand singer-songwriter Mel Parson is sure to appeal to anyone with a funny-bone and an appreciation for great song writing.  The team of 6 are on the road with 200 chairs, a bar, and a few things to pretty-up a woolshed. 

A fund-raising barbie for Farmstrong begins proceedings and we learn this is an “initiative designed to give farmers the skills and resources to live well, farm well and get the most out of life” – i.e. mental and physical wellbeing.  This explains Farmstrong’s role as a sponsor/partner and the value of the woolshed tour. 

MC and technical ‘guru’ Jed Parsons (‘cuzzy’) warms the crowd up with some house-keeping and banter before introducing Mel who plays a solo acoustic set for an hour, joined by Jed on backing vocals for the final two songs.  Mel’s banter is entertaining, witty and informative.  This gal can hold her own in the comedy world.  She also demonstrates why she was a silver scroll finalist last year and why she is a member of the highly regarded Fly My Pretties collective.  Bottom line: she’s hot right now. 

After another break to get a drink from the bar – run by Derek Parsons (Dad) – it’s time for the main event.  As a sheep farmer’s daughter, just the idea of two women doing a show as sheep dogs gets me giggling.  How could it not be funny?  Well, plenty ways actually, a bad script or bad acting for starters.  Thankfully no such problems are seen here in this hilarious show, written and performed by Amelia and Emma.  I’m even going to go as far as to say this is comedy genius. 

Two Jack Russell farm-dogs are taken to town for that op all male dogs fear.  This is the tale of the different personalities they meet there: super snooty town dogs, a sadomasochist (it’s all about the collar and lead), a grossly overweight love interest, a tough guy with prosthetic testicles (neuticles!) and more. 

This is full-speed, never-let-up comedy gold throughout.  Cleverly kept to only an hour long, some of the biggest laughs come from the dogs on the back of the ute created with the use of a wind-machine, a courting ritual making hysterical use of some lip-syncing from R Kelly’s song ‘Bump n Grind’ and the astounding snobbery of some spoilt brats. 

I missed the first show from The Bitches Box.  I certainly won’t be missing another. This production is a world-class, quintessentially Kiwi show full of heart and humour.  It’s rural but not only for country folk by any means.  Do NOT miss it.  

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