After a five year break from our festivals, Duff makes a welcome return with I’d Like a Nicer Planet Please.
Opening with an hilarious enactment of the opening of “Pride and Prejudice”, you know you’re in for a unique ride. Duff is generally known for his absurdist humour, especially his bizarre prop comedy. There’s plenty of classic moments included here, from Duff’s collection of interesting forks to his re-enactment of the tale of Adam and Eve – and though I’ve seen some of this many times before, it’s the sort of material that will make you laugh again and again.
But this isn’t just regular Duff – this is political Duff. Duff is extremely passionate about the events of the world, and extremely angry. Through the troubles in the middle east, to domestic politics, to the world in general Duff brings his own unique angle to the world around us. Delivered in his usual manic stage style, Duff barely resists descending into ranting, pulling back into his set material to avoid getting lost in the frustration of trying to change the world.
I’d like a Nicer Planet Please is a great introduction to some of Duff’s best absurdist material of recent years blended seamlessly with new material on the absurdity of global politics. It’s a great mix from arguably one of Melbourne’s best comedians.