A rugged stumbling hero aided and abetted by a love interest with a loud mouth and we were off on a comedy parody that's an absolute blast.

Byron Bay and the Stone of Destiny is the latest production by Tauranga's 16^th Ave Youth Theatre.

The play was written by local playwright Sam Martin. She's written two shows per year for five years. Her daughter Dyllan, is the director of this latest musical comedy adventure.

Byron Bay, the lead character played by Cameron Buchanan, is a straight-talking Australian archaeologist. Along with Tally, played by Jazzy Axton, and Golong, played by Abigail Speight, he takes us on a wild journey that's a mix of Crocodile Dundee and Indiana Jones. It's of course a parody of these movies with a dash of Romancing the Stone.

Great lacings of greed drive most of the characters forward on the mission of finding the Stone of Destiny and escaping the villainous Nazis.

Cameron sung a highly entertaining 'All Alone” although my favourite musical chunk from the hunk moment was his song about manning up.

It's hard to believe a stage can transform with just a few props into classic movie sets that remind us of the silver screen, but that's where this cast transports us to. Set in the 1940s, there are definitely good spots through the first half of the performance, but it's the second half where they really start to shine, with the cast settling in to their lines like a smoothly driven car veering at high speed around the top of a cliff face.

Full of cliff hangers, a wickedly witty script and ludicrous escapes, with impending disaster and thrills around each corner, there are moments of pure genius and absurdity. Set in the 1940s, it also references modern culture.

There is clearly a strong collaborative energy not just between the playwright and director but also between the cast and backstage crew. You can tell they are loving it, there is high enthusiasm that also reverberates around the audience who break into spontaneous laughter and applause through so many great moments.

I had a great discussion afterwards with a companion about stereotypical characters and their relevance in this day and age. Of course a farce is a comedy, a light humourous play designed to entertain through highly exaggerated and unlikely situations. The plot depends on exploiting those situations skilfully rather than upon the development of character.

Understanding this farcical comic drama, and the ludicrous improbable situations, I still found that there was plenty of scope given for the actors to etch out their characters. In particular, Callum Thorburn who played Herr Doktor and Yu So Dum, Rachel Brebner as the love-struck Brunhild Killer and Chris Greeks as Col. Texas Jones were exceptional, highly amusing and talented. I was really impressed with the care taken by the actors to nail their accents and look forward to seeing their future acting adventures. For me, the stand out performance was by Chris Greeks.

Golong, played so well by Abigail Speight, was faced with not quite having her own whole story told. This was frustratingly good for someone like me who loves a good tale, and I reminded myself this is a farce, I don't need to know more about her. I await a sequel of course!

The unfazed Jazzy Axton seized the day and Byron with a highly spirited and talented performance. As Tally, she was feisty and sweet, stunning the audience with her musical vocals, dazzling the stage, whilst simultaneously scorning our hero with barbed comments.

Sam's youngest son, Devon Martin age 11, is I understand, the youngest technical director in Tauranga and leads the technical crew of himself, Dyllan Martin and William Te Whaiti. There were some technical challenges on opening night but also brilliant use of strobe lighting. The varied volume of the singers provided some challenge in the first half. I thought the use of extra sound effects would have made some of the scenes just perfect.

Devon's brother Aston Martin, along with Emily Page and Mia Marshall make up the rest of the 9-person cast, and provided high energy performances across a range of different characters.

Some heroes are born to greatness, some are forged in fire... and some just stumble upon it one Tuesday arvo whilst chuckin' the last snag on the barbie.

This was the line that drew me in, and it didn't disappoint.

A seriously delightful show at 16^th Ave Theatre, by impressively talented youth who are growing as outstanding and exciting actors.