Review: This Is Your Trial
Image: Judge Natalie Bochenski (L) presiding at Hip Hops Brewers. Image credit Creative Futures Photography.
One of the many things I love about Anywhere Festivals is discovering to new places in and around Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region, and to enjoy a great evening’s entertainment. Oops, sorry; that’s two things. An ideal gaffe to be the subject of an Act React ‘case’ in the This is Your Trial show…
If you are looking for an enjoyable night out with friends, a family treat, or just a solo night away from the screen… then This is Your Trial is for you. You just have to be quick, as this particular judge (the talented Natalie Bochenski) is only ‘sitting’ for one more night of this circuit.
I recommend arriving early, so you can pick up a drink at the bar, soak up the Hip Hops Brewers’ atmosphere, and perhaps even order some of their great pub food for delivery to your seat. The improvised comedy ‘trial’ takes place in the upstairs room, so arriving early means you can select a table at the front and deliberate those irritating little foibles that your friends or family really need to have brought out into the open. On Wednesday night, the cases included the heinous crime of using an older sister’s bedroom mirror (and leaving clothes on the floor), not matching up pairs of socks on the washing line, and even buying too many shoes (really? I cannot believe that is ever possible).
You may think these ‘crimes’ are minor but the capable comedic duo—Prosecution (Brittany White) and Defence (Kevin Lowe) Barristers—extrapolated the ‘evidence’ into anything from drug dealing to entrapment. And a memorable count of ‘sock laundering.’
The fabulous Judge Bochenski kept the trial program moving along, ensuing a steady flow of new cases. Every accused who pleased ‘not guilty’ had to swear on the ‘Moreton Bay Bible’—a creative use of the pages of the regional magazine—and each case concluded with audience-jury votes. The audience had a ball. And, as the accused and accusers ranged in age from 10 to 60-plus, I can confirm that this evening is family-friendly, and that This is Your Trial has something for every age group.
Picture: Barrister Brittany White prosecuting an entertaining argument (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Barrister Kevin Lowe teasing out an entertaining line of defence (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Judge Natalie Bochenski, This is Your Trial (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
I’m a definite fan of all things Act React, and am delighted to report that This is your Trial is absolutely worth a visit to Brendale. Book now if you can.
If you miss the final show, I have three further recommendations:
1. Follow Act React on your social channels of choice, or checkout their website, so that you do not miss them again;
2. Check the diary and see if you can get to their magical Flabbergasters! show, as stuntman Joel and Magic Pete will be at the Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay on 26 May; and
3. Make sure you find an excuse to visit Hip Hops Brewers. It’s a great spot, and I’d love to have seen additional Anywhere Festival Moreton Bay events taking place in this spacious venue (perhaps even two different shows programmed on the one night).
Oh, and watch out for those annoying quirks that may just have you ‘on trial.’
Pictured (L to R): Prosecution (Brittany White) and Defence (Kevin Lowe) Barristers. Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program include only two This Is Your Trial events (15 & 16 May 2024) at Hip Hop Brewers, The Sheds, 264 South Pine Road, Brendale. 60+ minutes, all ages (recommended 10+), tickets $15-$20. Note that the room is upstairs (no lift access).
The reviewer attended the 15 May 2024 performance.
Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography