Op Shop 'Till You Drop

It’s a scenario that’s all too real — a visit to a country town’s Op Shop, full of the weird (Minion T-shirts) and the wonderful (Shakespeare sonnet-inducing teapots). That’s exactly what writer Victoria Angelique Mertzanidis has brought to the stage, a fun journey through an afternoon in a Ballarat Op Shop, where we meet four strangers (and a op shop vollie) who each need something (to varying degrees) in life, but a visit to the Op Shop holds all the answers. The group had an infectious chemistry, making the most of the small stage, and few props they got to work with. Each member got a fun chance to shine with their own song and story, showcasing strong vocal and acting skills, there wasn’t a bad apple in the bunch. A personal highlight was the comedic stylings of Savannah (Alanis Grocett), a character that felt all too real in all the best ways. Op Shop Till You Drop has a fun and original POV, that’ll hopefully be a staple of stages for years to come.