The Crawford Room in the State Library is an excellent setting for an intimate evening of conversation between an aging star of stage and screen and an aspiring interviewer. Except the aging star of stage and screen is an apple! With attitude! And a highly developed sense of self-importance.

Writer/performer/ventriloquist David Salter has experience presenting shows for children and this show somehow manages to combine a child-like charm with all the innuendo expected from a more adult-oriented cabaret.

David’s relaxed and natural persona is a key essence of the show’s success, at its best when engaging with the audience, Yes there is a bit of participation required from an audience member, because he cannot accompany Dame Granny Smith on ukulele while performing the puppetry duties which would allow her to sing, but fear not, no skills required!!

I defy anyone to think of an apple joke that David has not incorporated into the show at some point. And yet it is so subtly done. There is no sense of ‘let’s see how many apple jokes I can cram in’ – they just emerge in the normal flow of conversation, if in fact this conversation can ever be considered normal.

There are moments when Dame Granny Smith is off stage and David speaks to the audience about some of her foibles, and other moments when David has gone off stage and the Dame continues to address the audience about her concern for his well-being. Competition between the two for the audience’s sympathy shifts the mood tempoarily and displays David’s skill as a writer and crafter of theatre. There are some complex human issues being subtly discussed amid the seemingly lightweight banter.

While the Dame is off stage David presents a more serious moment singing while accompanying himself on keyboard. Tonight the volume balance between voice and keyboard is slightly out, but the quality of both is clear.

David’s ventriloquist skills have been keenly developed and are impressive to say the least! They are at their most awesome when the Dame begins singing, in parts quite loudly and with some passion, yet there is no discernible change in David’s ability to keep his mouth shut. There is even a duet, not in unison of course, but David is able to switch voices with amazing rapidity.

This show is a funny, feel-good gem by a great performer and skilled writer. Highly recommended!