Shetland Arts invites you to share an evening on screen with New Zealand’s most famous comedic duo on Wednesday 2nd May at a documentary screening of a film made by Leanne Pooley.

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls is the first time the irrepressible Kiwi entertainment double act, Jools and Lynda Topp's extraordinary personal story has been told. The film offers a revealing look into the lives of the world's only comedic, country singing, dancing, and yodelling lesbian twin sisters. As well as rarely seen archive footage and home movies, the film features a series of special interviews with some of the Topp's infamous comedy alter-egos.

Celebrating their half century this year, the Topp Twins have attained a unique status within New Zealand culture, and their fans range from hard core political activists to sheep farmers and 'Ladies who Lunch'. Their ability to relate to all kinds of people, and their natural gift for humour, has helped them cross from the fringes to the mainstream. From busking on the streets of Auckland to performances at the Rugby World Cup and London’s West End stage, their appeal is infectious. From support act to headlining their own hugely successful tours in Australia, Canada, the USA and the UK, the twins have morphed from radical activists into Kiwi 'national treasures', 'cultural ambassadors', and finally, according to the Glasgow Herald, into New Zealand's 'finest artistic export since lamb cutlets!'

Untouchable Girls follows the twins from their happy childhood on a Waikato dairy farm to the Territorial Army. They came of age performing on the streets of Auckland during the heady days of the political protest marches in the early 80s, and quickly joined the forefront of progressive social change campaigning for a Nuclear-Free NZ, Maori Land Rights, a halt to the1981 Springbok Tour, and Homosexual Law Reform. By 1998 the Topp Twins were firmly entrenched in the bosom of Kiwi culture with their own prime time TV series Do Not Adjust Your Twinset.

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls is a big story. It’s not just the story of two sisters but also of 50 years of New Zealand history, half a century of cultural changes and the foundation of a national identity. Part concept film, part biopic, part historical record, part comedy, the Twins share their journey from “coming out” to Jools' recent brush with breast cancer with much laughter, honesty and wisdom.

Shetland Arts is delighted to announce that after the screening Jools and Lynda will be joining the audience live from New Zealand for a ‘virtual’ Q and A session, thanks to the wonders of internet technology.

The film carries a 12a certificate and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Shetland Box Office at Islesburgh, 01595 745555.