Review: THERAPY at Little Andromeda Theatre, Christchurch

Therapy:  A Comedy Cabaret
Reviewed by Shona Hewlett

Therapy is  musical comedy written and performed by Chelsea McRae, with supporting music composed and performed by Mario Sadra- de Jong, won the NZ Touring Award at the Dunedin Fringe Festival and was also nominated for the Comedy Award.  Before entering the theatre, a sign warns that the show discusses mental illness, suicide, sexual assault, and grief.

The show opens with a stark set featuring a pink chaise lounge pivotal to the scene setting in this earnest memoir of Chelsea, the main character. Clever lighting design by Cody McRae helps the audience move seamlessly from the therapist's room to Chelsea’s life outside.

Chelsea suffers from dizzy spells and is determined to leave the therapist's office after the first session with a prescription for Lorazepam. Her story unfolds with the therapist's pink chaise lounge becoming the confessional to unravel the cause of her dizzy spells. Chelsea turns to Google for help, bringing real-life events into the narrative.

Interspersed with the tragic parts of her life are cleverly written songs. The first, Wrong Thing Song, was so relatable that the audience's laughter made it clear we had all put our foot in our mouths before.

In her late teens, Chelsea, recovering from two serious illnesses, turned to religion.

Her comedic rendition of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, pokes fun at religion and the notion that women should dress modestly to avoid unwanted sexual attention. This song became an opportunity for the females in the audience to sing along, with several males enthusiastically joining in.

One of the funniest songs in the show, A Special Place for You, outlines ways of getting rid of an unwanted male, featuring the line, “There’s a special place in hell for you.”
The most poignant moment comes when Chelsea, dealing with loss and grief, recalls a line from a song: “I would have stayed up all night if I had known I could have saved a life.” This heart-wrenching scene is enhanced by Mario playing the instrumental version of the song under the dialogue.

Throughout the show, Mario’s brilliance on the piano and Chelsea’s incredible singing voice highlight the humour, trauma, grief and healing being portrayed by Chelsea.

Chelsea’s vulnerability was perfectly portrayed, and as she started to heal, the audience were rooting for her.

While the warning sign on the door did prepare me for the subject matter it didn’t prepare me for the artistry of this performance.

This is a dark comedic show that blends humour with serious, often unsettling
themes, creating a unique viewing experience that delves into complex emotional landscapes, making audiences laugh one moment and reflect deeply the next.
Director Marea Colombo and Dramaturg Amanda Martin are to be congratulated for the slick and realistic show they have helped bring to life, ensuring the reality and sensitivity that these subject matters deserve.

Mario Sadra-de Jong’s musical accompaniment reveals his talent as a composer and pianist, supporting both the comedic and poignant moments.

The 1-hour show was both challenging and rewarding and is peppered with moments that made me both laugh and cry.
“Therapy” will be playing at the 2025 New Zealand Fringe Festival in Wellington so if you get the opportunity to see this show, seize it.

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