It’s coming up to the silly season and Newtown’s New Theatre has got into the mood by putting on the Australian premiere production of the spoof American musical, ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’ (book by Betsy Kelso and music and lyrics by David Nehls).

The experience was like watching a Jerry Springer show except there were plenty of song intervals instead of ad breaks!

The setting is the Armadillo Acres Trailer Park. Quirkily narrating the story of the goings on within the Park, and as well providing plenty of their own style of entertainment, are three women from way left field; Lin (Shannon McKinn), who was born on a kitchen floor and whose husband is on death row, Pickles (Lauren Kate-Butler), who is a manic 17 year old a permanent state of hysterical pregnancy, and Betty (Shondelle Pratt) whose husband suddenly died, leaving her with the responsibility of running the Trailer Park.

The action pivots around the experiences of one of the Park’s long standing couples, Norbert (Julian Ramundi) and Jeannie (Keira Daley). Their twenty year old marriage is becomingly increasingly tenuous with toll booth operator Norbet being increasingly frustrated by his wife’s agoraphobia. Their troubles are exacerbated when a sexy young woman, Pippi (Ines Vaz De Sousa), takes up residence at the Park. Late one night, poor Norbert takes refuge in Pippi’s arms after she performs a steamy strip show for the locals. Things get even more heated when Pippi’s ex, cowboy hick, Duke (Max Newstead), heads into town, on a mission to woo Pippi back.

With astute direction by Jay James- Moody, a talented cast of seven performers, each having a good handle on their characters, and a breezy four piece band under the musical direction of Chris King, this was a fun, let it all hang out night at the theatre.

The current production of ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’ opened on Thursday 18th November, 2010 and runs till Saturday 18th December, 2010 at the New Theatre, 532 King Street, Newtown.