Jack Druce’s second solo show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival opens with a short video presentation that clearly defines the mission statement of the hour: Druce wants to be an action hero. After this presentation the comedian himself appears and the show that follows is the breakdown of all the elements required to become that hero. I can’t reveal if he accomplishes his goal- that would be a spoiler. However I can reveal that two of the primary elements needed are: 1. That you have an interesting upbringing (Druce’s dad is something of a late-blooming extreme-sports nut); and 2. That you have to be able to take charge in a crisis situation (as he once had to do when asked to sit in one of the emergency exit aisles of a plane).
Druce is a very amiable presence, self-deprecating about his youth and inexperience, but smart enough to know that all comedians need a little bit of arrogance just to get up in front of a crowd in the first place. He’s not entirely comfortable on stage, he lacks the easy rhythm and flow of a more seasoned comedian- after each laugh garnered there’s a pause that’s just that millisecond too long. However the material itself is strong, from the ‘Make a Death-Wish’ Foundation to the idea that all bogans should name their babies ‘Tarquin’ to enable easy future identification.
I can’t recommend it as a fully-polished hour of comedy, but the laughs are definitely there, and if you’re interested in catching a very sharp comedian while he is still on his way to the top of his game, you should definitely check him out.
Wild Druce Chase plays until April 18th at the Melbourne Town Hall. For full booking details go to the Melbourne Comedy Festival website