Jenn Manders employs her wide range of skills in this personal account of her life journey. Rhymed couplets make the vocal sections easy to follow, and the whimsical, surreal content is not to be taken too seriously.

There are stories of dangerous and violent encounters which are brief compared to the dance and mime sequences. These main elements of the show encompass interpretive modern dance, with classical training obvious as the basis.

Jenn takes us from an amorphous shape, wriggling, stretching, writhing, perhaps in anguish – to searching, unsure of where to go or what to do. Gradually a dance emerges. There is a mime of a sensual experience, with an original cello backing music by Maria Fletcher. Other musicians contribute: Matt Carolan on guitar, Arthur Bower on accordion. Josh Cook is Jenn’s able assistant, doing a fine job as MC, narrator, sound person and stage manager. The show contains several intervals to allow for a chat, fetching a cuppa and/or a chance for stretching legs, or your whole self if desired.

Stories from her busy time in Europe as a dance teacher are narrated with mime gestures. Her central piece is about her time after returning back to Australia and working in aged care, where many heartfelt moments of connection gave her a wealth of material to draw on. Several scenes are derived from her work there, notably ‘Where No Birds Sing.’ This shows the transition from the joyful freedom of a younger life to the self-doubt that may come with increasing frailty and restricted mobility. Frustration and anger may be generated, and a fixation on little things becomes big matters. But memories are there to sooth, and her spirit still dances freely, right to the end.

Jenn’s small frame but still supple body is bursting with energy, expressing the full range of human emotions. Nor is she afraid to include her first-hand stories of the chaos that can ensue in the tight confines of small flats, when neighbors are not exactly friendly.

At the preview of a show it’s normal to encounter some hiccups, delays and adjustments. Some scenes still need to be spliced together, musical backings finalized. For a finale Jenn takes us back to her student days at ballet school for a funny recollection of her role in Prokofiev’s March of the Animals, joined by Josh. Her recurring anthem is fitting for our times, ‘ain’t it great to be crazy!’