Richard McKenzie’s show, originally named ‘ANZAC’ has had to undergo a name change much in the same way that Cliffy had to last year, for legal reasons. Apparently the term ANZAC is protected under Federal Law against inappropriate use, such as for commercial gain, or for entertainment. I don’t know which is scarier though, the Federal Govt or a large Motorcycle club.
The atmosphere for the show is set with slides of Aussies at war to the strains of a modern Hip-Hop take on “I was only 19”. Richard begins by telling us a little about himself and I felt that this section did not fit in with the rest of the show. In particular his railings against old people were counter-productive to the stories he was about to tell of his forebears and his audience members who were mostly in the older age bracket. I’m not surprised that this show about ANZACs performed in an RSL club would attract an older audience.
Richard tells us he is descended from generations of soldiers, including his father but that he and his brothers chose to all work in the Arts instead. But as he tells stories of his nearest relatives, you sense that maybe his family didn’t make the best soldiers anyway. His Grandfather got in trouble because the Japanese sub got into Sydney Harbour on his watch, and then his father destroyed a million dollars worth of equipment and refused to do his job in Vietnam because it was too scary and was sent home. It seems like it is the more removed relatives who are more successful in battle. The first thing you notice about Richard is that he has a face full of shrapnel (well… piercings) that seemed to me to be an unwitting tribute to his Uncle Ken who was shot in the face, but only after surviving Gallipoli and the famous Charge of Light Brigade.
Richard has some compelling and funny stories to tell, but he seems to fail to find a comic vein to connect the show into a whole that relates back to his decision not to follow his warrior ancestors. He often tends to tell a great/amusing story and then say “How cool is that?!! Or “How shit is that?!!!” rather than provide any insightful or hilarious viewpoint. It’s an entertaining show with some good laughs and is worth seeing, Richard is an engaging and talented comedian, but I would’ve liked to see him creating a stronger routine around the show to tie it all together.
http://comedyfestival.com.au/season/2006/show.php?id=110