by Diana Miranda

What do you get when you put a sheep with existential angst in a black box theatre and add a spoonful of clowning? The answer is Sheepish, a goofy and delightful show that makes you laugh, reflect, and occasionally go, “Wait, what?” Written and directed by Lauren Talitha Ziebart, Sheepish is one of those theatre delights that refuse to take themselves too seriously.  

The three-hander play follows Daisy (Talitha Ziebart), a cloned sheep that nervously prepares for her cloning ritual under the watchful (and slightly tyrannical) eye of Dolly (Molly O’Donnell), her predecessor and first-ever cloned sheep. As they pass their days revisiting classic films for all their polished perfection, what unfolds is a bizarre journey involving film reenactments (Pulp Fiction as interpreted by sheep? Yes, please) and a mysterious presence (Ellis Jupiter as Sean) that lures Daisy to the wild side with a sweet-talking Texan accent and a heavy-metal hairstyle. 

The show embraces a DIY aesthetic, and its playful charm lies precisely in that stripped-down form. Sheepish makes do with two bedsheets, stools and a couple of willing front-row audience members doubling as stagehands. This doesn’t just add charm; it’s a reminder of how creative theatre can be when it stops taking itself too seriously. Stylised acting sprinkled with clowning and melodrama makes this show dynamic and enjoyable. Talitha Ziebart’s script has clever moments doubled down by the duo’s knack for physical comedy. Furthermore, a surprisingly heartfelt song about the struggles of being the freak of the flock adds to this unusual comedic mix.

While the ending lacks that final something to give airtight closure, Sheepish succeeds in taking audiences on a 70-minute fun ride to explore existential angst as only cloned sheep can do. The play isn’t trying to shatter emotional ceilings or indulge in profound depth. It’s a comedy show for those who love out-of-the-box theatre with a taste for playfulness.

At its core, it’s the story of two colliding personalities: Daisy, curious and eager to break free, and Dolly, stubbornly clinging to the safety of repetition. It’s a simple storyline but it can serve to reflect on science versus nature, the immaculate aura of originality, individuality versus flock behaviour, societal conformism, or none of the above. It may also just be a fun story, as told by two sheep. But all roads lead to the same evening: a show of light-hearted absurdity that might change how you look at sheep, cowboys and some of your favourite films.

Sheepish runs at The Hope Theatre through 26 January.

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