References

• Sammy J & Randy's Difficult First Album proves a triumph Reviewed By Cameron Woodhead Sammy J & Randy are the most lively human/puppet duo to come out of Australia since Daryl Somers and Ozzie Ostrich. Less family friendly, obviously - Heath McIvor's potty-mouthed purple puppet pops the cork on the C-word (no, not chardonnay) early in the show and can't seem to leave it alone. Sammy J & Randy combine charming and rude in perfect measure. Sammy J & Randy combine charming and rude in perfect measure. As with all great comedic double acts, there's an amusing contrast between the performers. The in-yer-face rudeness of the puppetry sparks off the dapper quirk of Sammy J, whose talent for musical comedy was evident right from the start of his career, but who seems to have really hit his straps, morphing into the kind of variety performer they just don't mint any more. You suspect Difficult First Album is the product of much blood, sweat, tears (and a fair bit of bruised felt) but it's Sammy J & Randy's best show yet. The songs aren't just hilarious. They are good songs with catchy melodies, limber lyrics and surprising twists. Advertisement And they are performed with amazingly tight comic timing and more versatile vocals than are needed for cabaret. There are ditties about being depressed at census time, ballads about being Swiss lovers in a previous life and antagonistic duets on keeping secrets or getting hot under the collar on the road. A near-death experience turns into a spry parody of Australian music - and we even learn what Randy dreams about at night (it seems someone should tell Enya to take out a restraining order). Between numbers, the stand-up and especially McIvor's inspired puppetry had the audience in gales of laughter. Sammy J & Randy's Difficult First Album combines all the wackiness and rude charm you've come to expect of them with more experience, skill and higher production values. Not to be missed.