Review: Children's Television Favourites Dr Chris And Dr Xand Return To Sydney With A New OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE!

Saturday 6th January 2017, 1:15pm, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

Brothers and bona-fide medical professionals, Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken have returned to Sydney with another instalment of their OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE! Expanding on their successful BBC television show OPERATION OUCH! which is a favourite of ABC Australia's younger viewers, this is a brilliant blend of science, humour and personal stories.

The charismatic British identical twins engage with the audience as they entertain and educate the captivated audience of primary school aged children and their respective adults. The two, dressed in their trademark blue and green scrubs share their knowledge of not only the human body but also words of wisdom for their audience as well as giving an amusing insight into their childhood. A large screen above the stage allows the action on stage, including a number of experiments, some which can be done at home, others that require technology only available to medical professionals, to be seen from the back of the Concert Hall.

Whilst my 5 year old guest and his mother were very familiar with the television program, I was not so I was more than pleasantly surprised at the respect Dr Chris and Dr Xand have for their young audience. It is refreshing to see an entertainment show for children that is presented by real practicing medical doctors who treat their audience as intelligent beings by using correct terminology and not talking down to children whilst still explaining the science in a way that young minds can understand. Whilst some productions for children can seem like an obligation for the adults that must invariable accompany them, OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE! is just as entertaining and engaging for the adults as it is the youngsters.

The brothers have a lovely balance of personal stories filled with affectionate sibling rivalry and serious scientific explanations. They relate the medicine that they are explaining to things that the audience can relate to, ensuring that the importance of the knowledge is understood, from the ability to manipulate the body's response to fear and what happens to your ears when you fly which was of particular interest to your BWWSydney Senior Editor also being a Flight Attendant. Through their personal stories they also encourage their young fans to try their own experiments and to not be discouraged if they aren't getting straight A's as even though Dr Xand had poor report cards in his childhood, he has managed a successful career doing what he enjoys.

Whilst the Sydney season of OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE! was only brief, Dr Chris and Dr Xand are touring the show through New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and the ACT. Hopefully the brothers will return for a third summer as this is the type of educational entertainment that needs to be encouraged and your BWW Sydney Senior Editor, whilst outside the OPERATION OUCH! core demographic, is definitely hooked and wanting to learn more.

OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE!

http://www.operationouchliveonstage.com/index.html

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