WHY KIDS? Details of the tour 2006 click here.
For anyone who is bringing up kids, and for anyone who has brought up children and is still wondering, “What happened?”
Lighting Design: Sydney Bouhaniche
Musical Arrangements: Michael Bartolomei
Masks: Michael Lewis
Click here for Audience Response. Reviews.
After the enormous success of his first autobiographical show, I'm Not a Dentist, a few years ago, Henri decided to write WHY KIDS? Where Dentist was mainly about his life and career, this one focuses more on his other great preoccupation, commitment, hobby if you like: his family, wife, kids.
WHY
KIDS? is an entertainment loaded with jokes, hilarious anecdotes and a few
well chosen songs. It thrives on the comedy and drama of everyday life. In fact
the play’s climax is a very candid exposé of the dynamics that occurred
between Henri and his teenage children.
But
to get to that point Henri necessarily addresses the baggage he brought to
parenting: his early childhood in war-torn Europe; being a migrant kid in
These strands are beautifully woven together in this funny, warm and uplifting entertainment.
“An
absolutely magical show. I think it has relevance to people of all ages.” Alan Jones, 2GB
“Hilarious.” Phil Kafcaloudes, ABC
“There’s
something inspiring about this work.” Stephen Dunn, SMH.
“Szeps
is a master entertainer.” Peter Morrison, Jewish News.
QUOTES FROM REVIEWS
Szeps’
charm wins through ... At his best, quoting Khalil Gibran’s 1923 poem On
Children, an essential text for anyone who’s ever had or been a kid -
there’s something inspiring about this work. Parenting is a tough job, and the
final effect of this show is to present a contented yet wondering dad
justifiably proud of, and proudly justifying, his efforts.
Alan Jones, 2GB Radio 873 AM, 21/7/2004.
It was an absolutely magical show. ... It has enormous relevance for people of all ages. But your extraordinary insights are remarkable. How you distil an amazing life into those couple of hours is something of a mystery to all of us. It's powerful, amusing, instructive and entertaining.
Phil
Kafcaloudes, ABC
News Radio, 21/12/2003.
...
the stand-up was fantastic... hilarious ... He used all the comedic techniques.
... This is a very, very brave piece.
And
it did provoke a lot of discussions ... and he stimulated people like you
wouldn't believe.
And
it was just him, standing in front of the audience, one chair, a tiny table with
a glass on it, ... and that was it... Here was the man stripped bare.
It’s quite a feat, holding the entire audience, and so effortlessly, in an affectionate embrace.
Peter
Morrison, Australian Jewish
News, 19/12/2003
Henri Szeps, a multi-media star and one of Australia's best actors ... is appearing at the Ensemble Theatre for the fourth time in a one-man show. .... Szeps is a very good Broadway musical and cabaret songster. As you will be reminded when you see, as you must, Why Kids?
I say "must" advisedly. It is not only because Henri szeps is a master entertainer with an impeccable and creative sense of timing, and an irrepressible humourist, but, as an integral part of the whole package, a man of profound thought and savour of wisdom in the writings and teachings of others....
He talks to the audience, mesmerising us with those piercing eyes, that
infectious smile, those undulating vocal inflections, ... and uncannily judged
changes of pace and mood.
This
is a very, very funny show ...
A note to congratulate you on a wonderful piece of
artistry in “Why Kids?” It stirred a great deal of thought and emotion in me
and got me to question aspects of life
that we often give no thought to. Your energy and your personal story was a
privilege to learn about.
Mrs
Claire, Loneragan, Ryde, NSW
12/1/2004
... You invite
engagement – your audience is sitting in your family room … and just relate
and share. We did the same with “I’m Not a Dentist”. You lulled me into a
total comfort zone. You’re good Mr Szeps – very good. Thank you for sharing
so much for so long.
Malcolm
Powys, Principal, Blue Mountains Grammar School, NSW
2/4/2002
... thank you
for your outstanding performance of Why Kids?. In addition to being a
wonderful piece of theatre, more importantly it was also an evening that
families could share, with many issues for parents and their children to discuss
and explore.
The feedback
from our parents and staff has been extremely positive, with words such as
‘uplifting’, ‘reassuring’, ‘touching’ and ‘hilarious’ being used
to describe your show.
Mr Fred Benecke, Turramurra, NSW 8/1/2004
… I was pissed off by the apparent ease with which you
controlled our – the audience’s – emotions and actions. I mean I felt like
a puppet on a string! Henri wants me to laugh and I split my sides. Henri wants
me to cry and I am wiping the tears away.
You obviously put a lot of work into developing these
skills and I am vastly impressed. Also admired the way in which you earthed the
emotional voltage with an apparent off the cuff self-deprecating funny. Bloody
brilliant.
You may have gathered that I am not a regular theatregoer
so a performance like yours is a real eye-opener to me.
Monsignor
Tony Doherty, Dean, St Marys Cathedral, Sydney NSW
20/2/2004
…
The initial impact was the sheer theatricality of bringing together a highly
personal story, yet presenting it with all the discipline, simple artistry and
sheer fun which entirely captured me.
….
There is an old Catholic saying – God comes disguised as your own life.
Itinerary of the National Tour of WHY KIDS? 2006
Associate Producer for the Tour: Gary Penny
Technical Supervisor: Matt Marshall
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KARRALYKA THEATRE, RINGWOOD EAST, Victoria.
Wednesday 31 May, 8pm
WHYNDHAM CULTURAL CENTRE, Victoria.
Thursday 1 June, 8pm
FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE, Victoria.
Friday 2 June, 8pm, Saturday 3 June, 1pm & 8pm
ALEXANDER
Tuesday 6 June, 8pm Wednesday 7 June, 1:30pm & 8pm
WESTSIDE
PAC, SHEPPARTON, Victoria.
Thursday 8 June, 8pm
Saturday 10 June, 8pm
Wednesday 14 Thursday 15 June, 8pm
ARTS
CENTRE WARRAGUL
Friday 16 June, 8pm
DRUM
THEATRE,
Saturday 17 June, 8pm
DARWIN
ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Tuesday 20 June, 8pm
ARALUEN
CENTRE,
Thursday 22 June, 8pm
BOONAH
CULTURAL CENTRE
Saturday 24 June, 8pm
CALOUNDRA
CULTURAL CENTRE
Tuesday 27 June, 7.30pm
QUT
GARDENS THEATRE
Thursday 29 Friday 30 June, 8pm
Saturday 1 July, 2pm & 8pm
Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 July, 7.30pm
& Saturday 8 July, 2.15pm
Wednesday 12 July, 8pm
BUNBURY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Friday 14 July, 8pm
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The tour was made possible with the kind assistance of Arts on Tour and Playing Australia.
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