Review – Sammy J & Randy’s Difficult First Album Tour
Man and puppet aren’t that common a duo in the comedy world (or any world, for that matter) and among such duos, your first thought probably wouldn’t be musical comedy, but these are the two elements which epitomise Sammy J and Randy. Returning to Adelaide once again, these guys are fresh and funny as ever, having reconciled after last year’s shocking split, bringing us a brand new show in their Difficult First Album Tour.
The witty and entertaining songs are interspaced by fast-paced banter that sounds so natural and spontaneous that at times you’re not quite sure if they’re legitimately arguing or if it’s all part of the act. Of course, as soon as you remember Randy is a puppet, you realise it’s all a show. Some extended interruptions do seem to run a bit long, beyond the point of being funny, but part of that is due to audience cooperation – or lack thereof, as the people pulled into the spotlight struggle to work out if the boys are being serious or not. But it wouldn’t be a proper Sammy J and Randy performance without this brand of improvised humour, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
I’ve been following these guys for several years now and every year they find a way to revolutionise the format – previous shows following more of a narrative structure, or sticking to more of a stand-up style show. This year we see the boys return with new material and some classics with a twist, telling about four different origin stories and frequently making you question the exact nature of their relationship. Whether you’re a long-time fan or you’ve just discovered them, chances are you’re in for some good times.
