The Kransky Sisters have driven their 1958 Morris Major down from Esk by popular demand.
“What they do is so difficult. The harmonies are exquisite, and their vocal ranges astounding. To make music from those instruments requires great skill. What a fun night out,“ said a musician in the audience.
They mix vaudeville, opera, and small-town gossip into a night of superb entertainment. You remember what it is to be a Queenslander when you attend a Kransky Sisters show. Their innocence and helpfulness expose the dark side of small-town living.
I cannot imagine them touring the USA, though the thought of it induces raucous laughter. They have ventured to Europe. They’ve the slides to prove it.
Annie Lee plays keyboard, the saw and the toilet brush. Christine Johnston leads the group as the older sister, playing washing-up brushes and a saucepan, as well as the guitar. Carolyn Johns plays the tuba superbly, as well as being the foil to the other sisters’ jokes. Last night she got her own back, keeping the audience delighted with her rebel dance number. All three played the recorder. And they harmonise across a huge vocal range.
One audience member said, “I’d have left early if I hadn’t been sitting in the middle of the row.” It takes a black sense of humour and exposure to small Queensland country towns to fully appreciate the sophistication of the Sisters’ humour.
The audience consisted of dedicated fans and travellers from Esk, spanning a range of ages. All happily joined in, singing and clapping along. The one conscripted audience member, Corey, made his mark as an honorary Kransky for the night.
Photo by Darren Thomas
