It’s interesting listening to the podcom Hyperbole Towers – the podcast comedy we recorded almost four years ago – to hear how much has changed.
There’s a reference in there to pets not being allowed – that’s gone.  And the whole episode centres around a by-law permitting owners to meet online.  That’s now part of the fabric of strata law. 
But some of the issues are timeless, not least how strata committees bring together hugely diverse people who under other circumstances might cross the street to avoid each other.
Add in characters who work from home in their underwear, use “you’re breaking up” as their get-out-of-phonecall card and get involved in the usual committee power struggles, and you have a potent recipe for some serious fun.

The Hyperbole Towers characters are:

·         Charlie, the long-suffering chair;  

·         Alfie the manipulative and scheming building manager; 

·         Brooke the hopeless secretary; 

·         Steve, the committee treasurer who sees everything in terms of money; 

·         Wendy a do-gooder who is also a nasty gossip and a racist; 

·         Joe a class warrior retiree for whom nothing is Left-wing enough (until it affects his hip pocket);

·         Damien a manic day trader for whom the committee is his only social contact

·         Amber a “massage therapist” who says it as she sees it

There is also a cameo guest appearance by star of stage and screen Todd McKenney, adding some pizzazz to the proceedings.

The story centres around the Hyperbole Towers committee in online crisis meetings to discuss the potential conversion of their former meeting room turned commercial space into a day spa … or is it a massage parlour?

Meanwhile, constant thumping sounds,  are driving everyone mad, especially since building manager Alfie seems very reluctant to do anything about it.

In its style and format, this is like a classic radio sitcom (remember them?) with some very modern themes.  But it’s a work of fiction and any similarity to anyone living or deceased is purely coincidental.

I you enjoyed it, please share it with your friends and fellow strata dwellers and professionals through this link, and encourage them to do the same.

I have to confess we hoped someone would come along, throw money at this and we could turn it into an internet sensation. I guess too many people think living in strata is no laughing matter.

Credits: Hyperbole Towers featured Tsu Shan Chambers,  Valentino Arico, Amelia Conway, Eveline Schubert, Michelle Rouady, Robin Queree, Matias Klaver and David MacPhail. 

It was narrated and directed by Warren Coleman.The podcom was written and produced by Jimmy Thomson and Warren Coleman. Audio editing and effects were by Sydney Sound Brewery under the watchful ear of John Hresc. Phoebe Armstrong was production assistant.

Hyperbole Towers is a Flat Chat Production, copyright (2024) Words Worth Pty Ltd. It could not have been made without the financial assistance of City of Sydney Council.