Review: Sidekicks

**Picture:** Simon Chugg and Tammy Tresillian in *Sidekicks. Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.*

Wow… it may just feel as if the summer holidays have only just finished, but we are nearly at the end of February. Must be time to get out to see a strong piece of writing performed by two talented comic performers. But you had better be quick, as Sidekicks finishes in a few days time.

Sidekicks have an recurrent role in life, films, tv, and theatre: comics often have a ‘straight-faced’ partner who feeds lines to ensure the star gets the laughs, the good-looking student at school seeks out the slightly plainer/quieter friend, and ‘heroes’ need their partners. Playwright Stephen Vagg’s musings on the lives of TV sidekick characters led to the writing of a funny, clever, and closely observed short play. This month, over the course of a mere 90-minutes, the talented Tammy Tresillian (Caitlin Buckner/CB) and Simon Chugg (Mackenzie Graham/Mac) bring Vagg’s sidekicks/heroes, and Brisbane locations, to life—performing in front of enthusiastic audiences at the excellent PIP Theatre.

As Mac says, ‘some people are sidekicks, and some are heroes.’ Sidekicks is a romantic comedy that tells a few home truths, and encourages us all to question why we might ever wish to settle for the support role, or to be forever waiting in the wings. Unsurprisingly, as a tale about two sidekicks, we learn to question who the real heroes are—quickly beginning to dislike Mac’s controlling colleague, Hunter, and CB’s self-centred presenter ‘friend,’ Robyn. Don’t worry; this isn’t quite as serious as this description sounds, as Sidekicks includes several laugh out loud moments as Mac and CB start discover who their friends really are, and begin to fall in love.

Personal highlights from this production include the entertaining ‘sex’ scene that leads up to the short interval; clever, funny, and fully clothed. But I also loved the transformation of the two leads into their caricatured ‘heroes,’ often through a simple twirl, adoption of a quirky accent and mannerisms, or the use of some simple props. Favourites here were the gender-switching portrayals of Robyn, courtesy of Chugg, and Tresillian’s Hunter. However, Chugg’s ‘ex-Miss Universe (3rd Place),’ Tippy, is a very close second; it is amazing what a transformation a pair of pineapple sunglasses can achieve.

Several of the dramatic moments also worked well for me. I am sure everyone will have their favourite lines, and scenes. I was impressed by the acting in the final scene, where Mac and CB, as the real heroes of the show, talked directly to each other, and not to the audience—and I really enjoyed Chugg’s ‘hot people speech.

This production of Sidekicks is a definite passion project, as Tresillian and Chugg are co-stars, but are also credited as co-directors, and as co-producers. Both performers have a strong pedigree. Last year, I was impressed by Tresillian’s work in In a Moment, and I loved Chugg’s starring role in Act React’s The Importance of Being Wasted. There were a few moments in this show that might have benefited from a third member of the team. If the budget allows in future, it would be great if the duo could add a co-director to the credits—giving the opportunity to tease out some of the more dramatic highs and lows, and perhaps encouraging occasional pauses for breath.

It looks as if there may be tickets left for the final shows. Get along if you can and see what you think.

Catherine Lawrence

Audience information: Sidekicks, PIP Theatre, 20 Park Road, Milton QLD 4064 (18-28 February 2026, 7:00pm [6:30pm on Wednesdays]). Producers advise adult Themes, coarse/strong language, sexual references, and mention of suicide. 14+ suggested. One moment of full black, immediately prior to the short interval (100 minutes, including a 10-minute interval). Tickets $26-41, plus $3.30 booking fee.

Produced by Tammy Tresillian and Simon Chugg, as a Co-Production with PIP Theatre

The reviewer attended the 25 February 2025, 6:30pm performance.

Geoff Lawrence