Sydney Reviews

The Maas Theatre and Dance company (Maas Theater en Dans) from the Netherlands is premiering Bully Bully in Sydney as part of the Sydney Festival. This ego-driven, competitive pantomime is delightfully comical. While the storyline follows a simple narrative, the two performers, Sue-Ann Bel and Sanne Bokkers, deliver high-energy, nuanced performances. Their childish conduct and physical theatre elevates the production, transforming the straightforward plot into a witty and thoroughly enjoyable show.

Although puckish and bright on the surface, this show responds to the inner child we often see in politicians, whose reactions to conflict can mirror those explored here. It invites both adults and children to engage in conversations about conflict resolution, perspective-taking, and compromise – whether in the playground or on the world stage. To facilitate these deeper, more thoughtful conversations, accessibility is key, and René Geerlings’ direction serves as the perfect conduit.

As you enter the theatre, you are instantly drawn to Bel and Bokkers, who exude an air of supreme status as they sit on their respective podiums, waving and greeting the crowd with regal aplomb. The stage design immediately establishes the rigid dichotomy at the heart of the show: one side green, the other pink. From the shoes on their feet to the floor itself, the division is absolute – and with this striking contrast in personalities, the game is about to begin.

If you are observant, you can notice it from the moment you take your seat. These two do not say a word, yet their personalities shine through – this is their mastery. They have clearly worked on their characters, honing actions and reactions that allow you to move beyond the surface-level colour dispute and truly see their differences. Bel is the more serious of the two, constantly striving to maintain composure and project responsibility. Bokker, on the other hand, is more cunning and playful in her taunts, seizing every opportunity to make the audience laugh at her rival's expense. Each firmly holds onto their personality, which serves as both their strength and their downfall. When something slips, they quickly abandon their roles as inspirational leaders, succumbing instead to silly competition and the petty one-upmanship we teach children to outgrow.

The wasted energy these two put into sneaky tricks and pointed taunts in an effort to outflank each other is clearly plain to every kid in the audience, big and small. A reminder that world leaders are just as fallible as everyone else and we must never put them on pedestals.

A standout moment is the flag dance, where Bokker uses her flag to block Bel’s face. The humour of this sequence lies in its ambiguity: was it deliberate or an innocent mistake? This hilarity exemplifies their ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Although this was one of my favourite moments in the show, it also left me wanting more of the ridiculous. As they one-upped each other, I wanted to see how far this fractious pair would take it. They play for bragging rights, the prize of being able to say, ‘I did it bigger and better than you,’ but the performance doesn’t quite escalate as expected. I hoped for something outrageous, perhaps the most ridiculous sized flags to match the show’s playful tone and deliver a more satisfying climax.

Bully Bully uses music to elicit laughter, skillfully combining it with dance and movement and this dance performance wouldn’t be complete without a dance battle. Watching the two performers face off to music spanning a range of cultural influences and pop hits showcases not only their comedic timing but also their impressive ability to maintain their characters' personalities, even in the heat of an intense duel of dance.

Bully Bully uses slapstick humour, music, and movement to create a delightfully fun and well-crafted production for audiences of all ages. Beyond the laughs, it invites important conversations about conflict and resolution. My 7-year-old son gave it ‘two thumbs up’ and said he would love to bring his friends – a testament to the show’s universal appeal and charm.