A raunchy kiwi comedy with a surprising twist

We all have naughty little secrets, and The Elephant in the Room is a kiwi comedy that hooks us in with just that. Featuring rollicking good yarns and a talented local cast, Breffni O’Rourke’s play-writing debut will appeal to audiences that love raunchy comedies with a surprising twist, and just a touch of sadness and regret.

Main character Andy is “Mr Vanilla”, a father of two who is lovingly badgered by his good friends Mark and Kim into a tell-all confession about his OE trip to Thailand, years prior. Co-directed by O’Rourke and Alli Campbell, this one-act play hilariously relates Andy’s buried secrets, while his wife, Tina, hovers just out earshot, earnestly sewing squab covers for the fishing charter they work on. Mark and Kim are both shocked and delighted, while a metaphorical elephant looms in the background. Its inclusion is both clever and amusing.

Scott Sumby as Andy is a standout throughout with his comedic chops and storytelling skills taking O’Rourke’s script into the Very Naughty Zone. Molly Brealey delights as the gossip-monger Kim with her facial expressions that inspired many a giggle, and her pal - Robin Ringwood’s character – fisherman Mark, is played with true kiwi bloke relish. The character of Kim is given emotional depth by Barb Seymour towards the end - but only after revealing that even cushion enthusiasts enjoy a romp with forbidden fruit.

The audience favourite, however, was the elephant Kikki, played by the talented Amy Fray and cunningly costumed by Betty Ross. Initially warming up the crowd with bags of nuts, Fray then morphed into a confession-cam character, whose cheeky asides about spicy ‘elephant’ rides in Chiang Mai revealed to the audience what really happened in Thailand. Or did it?

A dance number choreographed by Jasmine Turner and Molly Brealey wraps up the show, celebrating ALL the things that can happen in a tuk-tuk. Some risqué moves ensure the play ends with a bang.120 bangs, to be precise.

Amid the laughs, however, the audience may wonder if we should we really address the elephant in the room. Digging up the past can be fun, but it can have consequences.

You’ll see.

Lisa McKenzie authored this review of The Elephant In The Room in Nelson Fringe Festival 2025. Written & Directed by Breffni O’Rourke. Co-Directed by Alli Campbell.