Donning her regulation perm, comical specs, floral housedress and comfy cardi, Brendan O’Carroll’s caustic creation and feisty, potty-mouthed gran Agnes Brown’s mere appearance on stage elicits an eruption of applause – which doesn’t stop until long after the houselights have come on.

Hailing from the shores of Ireland, the Mrs Brown’s Boys matriarch and titular star brought the house down in Christchurch last night, the first city on the production’s New Zealand leg to be wowed (and shocked) by everyone’s favourite no nonsense Mammy. The opening night's performance took the audience on a craic-ing, fast-paced, comical joy-ride filled with brilliantly-timed saucy innuendos and quick-fire one-liners, all peppered with cunning cusses – in signature Mrs B style.

On the prowl for a Valentines date, after being prompted by her children to get out on the dating scene, the leading lady resorts (begrudgingly) to the wonders of the Internet and the nonsensical advice from Winnie (and her hilarious take on the “Big O”).

Dynamic chemistry between the actors ensures some next-level impromptu of the laugh-so-hard-it-hurts variety, with even the most stoic of audience members on their feet and furiously clapping by the end. You just can’t help yourself from getting caught up in the madcap madness of the Brown family.

For the Love of Mrs Brown
Horncastle Arena
To March 2
mrsbrownsboyslive.com