PETER GOERS IS HARD RUBBISH Holden Street Theatres Until 18 Mar 2018 Review by Maggie Wood Great stories hold us captive. They stretch the limits of our imagination, they remind us who we are, who we used to be, and they can show us who we want to be. Peter Goers’ show “Peter Goers is Hard Rubbish” presents us with elements of all three aspects. Presented almost as a chat between friends, you can picture Goers relating the same tales by a roaring fireside, surrounded by amiable company and with a glass of excellent sherry to lubricate the vocal cords. It is in this convivial atmosphere he whisks us with alacrity to South America, to Turkey and to many points within South Australia – urban and country. The stories are amusing and engaging. They don’t seem to have a connection except that each one is a jewel of a memory and a great story. He plays to the gallery of his devoted followers, taking them down memory lane to days when you never left a country gathering without at least a side of lamb, and the sheer mention of tartan travel rugs and anodised cups in their leather-look holder brought forth gasps of delight. He is aided very well by multi-Logie award-winner Anne Wills – or Willsy as we all know her. Her short appearances on stage draw gasps of obvious affection from the audience, and she is as agelessly perky, cheeky and funny as ever. The art of the local raconteur is one that we are in danger of losing. Storytellers are undervalued in our society and yet it is only through its own stories that a community – or a civilisation – understands who and what it stands for. Peter Goers is anything but hard rubbish. He is as South Australian as a Frog Cake or a can of West End. His stories remind us who we used to be, and maybe how to embrace some of the gentler qualities of the past, today. Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)