one4review | On 07, Aug 2025

David Salter gets right to the core of comedy in An Evening with Dame Granny Smith, a wildly original and laugh-out-loud interview with the world’s most celebrated apple. Yes, it’s literally just an apple—eyes cut out, a moving mouth—but Salter’s extraordinary skill as a ventriloquist brings this hoity-toity Dame brilliantly to life. His seamless shifts between his natural Australian accent and a pitch-perfect Dame Maggie Smith impression are simply astonishing.

Over the course of the interview, we discover that Dame Granny Smith is far from past her sell-by date. She’s sharp-tongued, opinionated, and absolutely brimming with stories—starting from her humble seedling roots in the UK to her stardom in Australia. What follows is a hysterically funny tale of her Hollywood career: her turn as the villain in Snow White, her struggles working with Disney, and a particularly juicy feud with Carmen Miranda’s grapes.

Salter’s talent is on full display—not only does he masterfully handle the puppet apple, but he also manages to play the ukulele at the same time, all while involving an audience member in the chaos. His charm and quick wit keep the energy high and the laughs constant.

I never imagined you could get so much joy from a single apple. I was in tears from laughing. Salter also shared that he previously worked for the NHS as a care worker, and you can feel that depth of humanity in his performance—there’s heart beneath the humour.

I cannot recommend this show enough. It’s silly, clever, and an absolute joy from start to finish.

*****

Reviewed by Lynn

Underbelly George Square (The Wee Coo)

13:20

30th – 25th (except 12th)