Review: CRAZY LADIES at New Players' Theatre Company

Crazy Ladies is a full-length comedy by New Zealand playwright Devon Williamson, renowned for his witty, character-driven works. Originally premiering at Detour Theatre in Tauranga, the play has since enjoyed successful productions across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, including stagings by Phoenix Players (NZ), ACT 1 Theatre (Australia), and On Broadway Little Blackbox Theatre (USA).

Its popularity among community and repertory theatre groups stems from its strong ensemble cast and accessible comedic appeal.

The story centres on Pamela Browne, a meticulous and obsessively organised career woman who arranges a 25-year high school reunion for her four closest friends. But chaos ensues the moment Kay—a chocoholic, gun-toting funeral director—arrives. What begins as a nostalgic weekend quickly spirals into a mock trial debating whether men are the root of all the world’s problems, presided over by “Her Holiness” Sandy. The comedy builds to a surprising emotional twist that adds depth to the farce.

For the New Players, performing at the Gryphon Theatre must have been a rewarding experience. The venue offered a more suitable space than their home base at the Newlands Community Centre, which would have posed challenges for staging.

The set design (Devon Williamson, Maria Schrader) was thoughtfully executed, featuring a kitchen, dining area, couch, and three rear doors representing the hotel room’s bedrooms. It effectively supported the action without distraction.

Sound and cues (Samuel Davies) were sharp and well-timed throughout, contributing to the overall polish of the production.

Direction by Maria Schrader was consistent, though some moments could have benefited from deeper character development. Still, the cast delivered solid performances, with Ester Walker (Pamela) and Nikki Parlane (Sandy) standing out for their confident and nuanced portrayals.

A delightful surprise came in the form of Ohariu MP Greg O’Connor’s voice cameo as a confused husband searching for the motel—an amusing local touch that drew chuckles from the audience.

The first half of the play leaned heavily on setup, with fewer laughs, but the second half delivered more comedic payoffs as the characters’ quirks became clearer. A standout moment was Dianne’s (Amelia Lucie-Smith) self-staged funeral, complete with a coffin—an absurd scene that had the audience laughing.

While Crazy Ladies may not be the strongest script or production of the year, it offered light, enjoyable entertainment. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t demand much from its audience, making it a pleasant night out.

A special performance next week will donate all proceeds to the SPCA—a wonderful initiative worth supporting.