Kate Smith’s hilarious musical comedy Fast Cars (2023) has just completed its second run. Appropriately, its 2024 return ran parallel with Bathurst’s Superfest endurance motor race, though in the case of this drama, endurance does not involve undertaking repetitive laps of a circuit; rather, it is about the nobility of exercising everyday resilience.
Before the play began, audiences were introduced to First Nations Custodians – Aunty Leanna and Uncle Bill Allen Jnr – who welcomed us into the performance space and reminded the audience that we occupy an Indigenous landscape.Â
Reinforcing this message was a moving image that beamed drone footage of Bathurst’s Mount Panorama/Wahluu. This collaborative artwork created a deeply meditative experience as trees and sky blurred into one another. It also had a dual purpose: it operated as a framing mechanism that introduced audiences to the landscape of the play, but also provided a reminder of an eternal nature that preceded and exceeded the world of the play, as well as all of us.
This dream-like imagery did not last long, as another screen – one embedded in a prop that said “Barb’s burgers and kebabs” – beamed footage of racing giant Peter Brock. This shift between screens signified a change of pace and perspective: we had now left the world of eternal nature to inhabit a sphere of fast cars, fast talkers and “Brocky burgers”.
The premise of Fast Cars was simple yet effective: battling single mum Barb Byrnes (Jude Bowler) has lived with and for the Bathurst 1000 for decades and has become a modestly successful caterer through her burger and kebab business. Her two adult children – Chez Byrnes (Madelaine Osborn) and Tez Byrnes (Tim Hansen) – help with the shop, but have dreams of their own. Like many blue-collar Australians today, however, the money isn’t coming in – times are tough.
Efforts to make the business profitable lead to hilarity as Tez tries to generate attention and an income through becoming a social influencer. In so doing, he takes videos of his mum Barb and sis Chez in a variety of states and conditions and loads the footage onto Instagram, TikTok and other online platforms. The “Insta” generation is good-humouredly mocked, especially its pretensions to fleeting digital fame.
The plot thickens when a corrupt politician, Belle Farquhar (Kate Smith), enters the arena and manages to manipulate young Chez Byrnes into being her representative driver in the Bathurst 1000 race. Smith was splendidly hammy in her platinum blonde wig, glitter heels and even more glittery silver suit. She epitomised the loud and flamboyant politician type who has too many fingers in too many pies (or, in this case, burgers and kebabs).
Supporting the intrigue and drama were delightful, melodic songs with lines like: ‘It’s the little things that make Bathurst big!’ Musicians framed the right-hand section of the stage, accompanying the singers and creating timely rhythms and riffs that inaugurated and concluded scenes.
The multi-talented Tim Hansen was a standout performer. He composed all of the songs and played keyboards like a souped-up version of Elton John. His musicianship combined with his comedic acting radiated genius.
Standouts in the supporting cast included Jack Dodds and Adam Deusien. These two were not only a dynamic duo, but also operated as an effective chorus commenting on the main action. A great deal of visual humour was also generated through their madcap costumes and props.
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Ultimately, Fast Cars was an affirmation of family, loyalty and love. In many respects, it was also a love letter to “Bathurstians” who come in all types, shapes and sizes. Its focus on strong women – namely matriarch Barb Byrnes and politician Belle – sent a positive message to young women in this region and beyond. Indeed, Bowler and Smith were magnificent in their roles as matriarchs. Their energy and sense of comic timing certainly left a lasting impression.
Here’s hoping that this play continues to be an annual theatrical event in Bathurst.
Fast Cars
Writer/Director: Kate Smith
Composer: Tim Hansen
Lyrics: Kate Smith and Tim Hansen
Production Design: Annemaree Dalziel and Harrie Fasher
Movement Director: Adam Deusien
Digital Artist: Nicole Welch
Community Artist: Phil Relf
Caricature Artist: Jock Alexander
First Nations Consultant: Aleshia Lonsdale from Arts OutWest
Vocalist: Akayla Newman
Composer: Yanhadarrambal Flynn ʻLay My Soulʼ
Creative Producer Annabel Scholes
Stage Manager:Kylie Shead
Deputy Stage Manager: Ruby Conolan
Assistant Stage Manager: Richard King
Technical Manager: Bannon Rees
Sound/AV Design: Dom Ingersole
Sound Op: Harrison Davis
Lighting: Bannon Rees
Costume: Annemaree Dalziel
Set: Harrie Fasher
Set Construction/Props: Karl Shead
Graphic Design: Lauren Carlson
Images: Greer Films & Bill Moseley
Videography: Thomas Druit, Jonty Millsteed, Henry Denyer-Simmons
Music: Rob Shannon, Tiffany Mason, Cindy Fox, Edward Brown and Fast Car Drummers
Cast: Jude Bowler, Catherine McNamara (Madelaine Osborn for the return season), Tim Hansen, Kate Smith, Jack Dodds, Adam Deusien
First Nations Custodians: Mallyan Merriganoury (Uncle Brian Grant), Wirribee Wiradjyuri (Aunty Leanna Carr-Smith), Dinawan Dyirribang (Uncle Bill Allen Jnr), Yahnadarrambal (Jade Flynn)
Fast Cars was performed 19-21 February 2024
