Dad is visiting China. He leaves older sister Stella in charge of the farm. This is a mistake as she promptly sells it, then scarpers off to Paris to spend the proceeds, leaving little sister Daisy the almost useless blackberry patch. However Daisy is very resourceful and hardworking. She is determined to buy the farm back before their father returns from China. Everything goes well until Stella returns from Paris and wants in on the money…

Renee Liang has translated and adapted a classic Chinese folk tale – The Tale of the Fragrant Farting Man. She has switched the brothers for sisters, and set the beginning of the story in Levin. (Well, it’s a lovely place to Levin in isn’t it?) The farts do not make an appearance until after a shocking act by Stella. This is the catalyst for Daisy’s gassy empowerment. Each of the actors takes great glee in manifesting the farts and it is lots of fun to watch what will happen next.  The set is very much like a pop-up book. Paper props influenced by Chinese folk art and shadow puppets complete the feeling that we are being read a bedtime story. The musician Adam Ogle, provides the sound track which includes a number of familiar musical stings that made the adults in the audience laugh.

Although the story is not always clear, there is great ingenuity in the way the action plays out.  Billed for ages 7+ I think younger children who are used to being read stories will have a fine time as well.

  • Part of the 2015 Chinese New Year celebrations and the 2015 NZ Fringe Festival,  The two farting sisters, on at BATS Theatre until 21 February 2015.