23 May 2006
The hilarious show Why Kids? will feature at Monash University's Alexander Theatre next month.
The autobiographical show by well-known television and theatre actor and author Henri Szeps focuses on his preoccupation with marriage and raising his children.
Why Kids?, currently touring Australia, is the second production in Monash's 2006 Performing Arts season
Henri Szeps is best known for his roles as the dentist brother Robert Beare in the long-running and much-loved ABC television sitcom Mother and Son with Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald; and Mick Mendel in the drama series Palace of Dreams.
Why Kids? follows the enormous success of Henri's first autobiographical play I'm Not a Dentist, and is filled with jokes, anecdotes and some well-chosen songs.
Henri begins by addressing his early childhood in war-torn Europe, growing up a migrant child in the 1950s. He was born in a refugee camp in Switzerland during WWII and came to Australia from Paris at the age of eight. He developed a passion for acting, studying his craft at the Ensemble Theatre under Hayes Gordon, while completing degrees in Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Sydney. He married in 1969 and has two grown-up sons. The show's climax is a candid exposé of the dynamics that occurred between Henri and his teenage children.
The Director of Monash University Arts Centres, Ms Jan Clancy, said the show was funny and uplifting, and highly entertaining.
"Henri Szeps has the gift of making us laugh out loud and leads us to examine our own parenting skills," she said. " Why Kids? thrives on the comedy and drama of everyday life, and is a must-see for anyone who has been involved in bringing up children."
Monash will host three performances -- one matinee and two evening sessions, from 6-7 June. For bookings telephone 9905 1111. Concessions available. Subscriptions to the 2006 Monash Performing Arts season available now.
Show notes
What: Why Kids?
When: Tuesday, 6 June, at 8pm; Wednesday, 7 May, at 1.30pm and 8pm.
Where: Alexander Theatre, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton.
Who: Bookings, telephone 9905 1111. Email: boxoffice@adm.monash.edu.au.
For further information and images, please contact Ms Wendy West, on +61 3 9905 1683 or Ms Karen Stichtenoth, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 1253.
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