Presented by Laughing Stock Productions
@ The Garden of Unearthly Delights – Umbrella Revolution
FRIDAY 9th March (until March 18)

DEATH, MYSTERY, REVENGE AND FRIENDSHIP!
Of their four shows together so far Sammy J & Randy in The Inheritance is most definitely THE BESTI have seen! It is also…unfortunately…the only one I have seen. Over the last few years my friends and members of my family have had multiple opportunities to go to Sammy J and Randy shows, coincidently always around times when I have been out of the state. Disappointed time and time again that I could not attend, I knew this year I had to get there. So after yet another mad dash to a Fringe show, past the hordes of people streaming into the Garden of Unearthly Delights, we were able to dodge and weave ourselves through to the Umbrella Revolution tent.

If you know anything about Sammy J and Randy then you will know they are one of the best comedy duos around. You might also have noticed that one of them is a bit of a muppet.  It is hard to think of these two apart and even scarier to try Google searching them as such. After shuffling around in the  tent for a chair or bench or patch of space to call my own for the duration of the show, the lights dimmed and we were treated to a ye olde introduction followed by a punchy musical number as is tradition. Right from the outset Sammy J and Randy are hilarious. Line after line they proved themselves to be funny, intelligent, rather gifted musicians and a tight act all round.

Unlike many stand-up comedy shows however Inheritance has a plot. After the death of Randy’s Uncle, the pair is forced to go to Scunthorpe, England because Randy is the executer of his Uncle’s will. Storyline is also the starting point of the production or so the man behind Randy .. well .. underneath him, Heath McIvor told me. This fact does not surprise me, however, as the whole production ties together to form a well-rounded blend of dialogue and music with just a touch of audience participation and almost seamless continuity.

Sammy J and Randy dodged and weaved their way through the storyline in much the same way we had dodged the crowds to get in. Constantly lulling the audience into a false sense of security again and again they turned the tables on the expected punch lines and delivered non-stop delight. Their style of comedy almost feels like listening in on your neighbours’ domestic arguments, their morning breakfast banter and occasionally strays into more personal conversations between the two. This, coupled with their originality is what makes them such an unmissable act. Not often have I sat in a show that felt as diverse in talent and natural as Inheritance, indicated perfectly by their brilliant skill for improvisation throughout the show.

Incorporated into their music-filled spectacular through the fall-outs and the drama are exquisite shadow puppets, filthy jokes, a local reference, some breaking of the “fourth wall” and an action packed fight scene. The child-like quality by which the play progresses is oddly revealing of attitudes to some aspects of society but mostly just a fun time for all involved. Not two minutes would pass before my friend in front of me would burst out in laughter and turn her head in my direction. From my vantage point I saw similar reactions in the rest of the audience, consisting of all ages despite the, shall we say, coarse language and references. Each and every one of them was asking the same question, will Sammy J stand in the way of Randy’s Inheritance?

After the wrap–up of all the excitement I heavily pulled myself up off of the stairs where I had rather cheekily moved to for a better view and hauled myself towards my friends. Even exiting the tent it was hard to tell where the show ended and reality began. As the team greeted fans outside, the grins of those in the line would have been almost impossible to wipe away. The absurdity of standing between Randy and Sammy J threatened to overwhelm us with more than one easily conversing with Randy as an equal and expecting him to respond even when Heath McIvor’s back was turned.

Now whether you believe they met at The Forum theatre in Melbourne or on a beautiful coffee date, after this show you will just be happy that they met at all and if you miss out this year, do not fret; there is always (hopefully) next year for another five star production!