Topp Twins Set to Shine With Music, Laughs and Yodelling

A STRANGE fusion of country and western music, comedy and yodelling is coming to the Hexham Bowling Club on April 6. Lynda and Jools Topp, 43, are identical twins. They were both raised on a farm in Huntly, New Zealand, and have found international fame as the musical comedy Topp Twins. They have performed at the Edinburgh Festival, the National Women's Festival in the US, and in London.

In New Zealand, they have their own TV series.

They have sung together since the age of five.

'We always played at parties and things, but we never really did anything deliberate until we were about 21,' Jools said.

'We came into town one day to buy groceries, just in our old jeans and gum boots with a few dogs in the back of the car.

'When we'd done the shopping, we realised we didn't have enough money for petrol to get home, so we said, What the hell, let's get the guitar out and see if we can make a few bob".'

And all of a sudden, people were swarming around and the girls made about $100.

'We had enough to buy beers and everything,' Jools said.

'So after that we'd come in and busk occasionally.

'We were pretty radical in those days, we'd just come out as lesbians: it was all pretty exciting.'

They now have six albums and many awards including a New Zealand Film and TV Awards for Best Entertainers.

They have also appeared on television all over the world.