By Colin Flaherty
Upon entering we are teased with a list of various sketch titles on the wall titled “Doug & Max’s Best Ideas.” but this is soon torn down by the duo… That is not what we have paid to see! We are here for Doug & Max Do 50 Minutes of Their Worst Ideas.
This is sold as a “lower your expectations as we throw things at the wall to see what sticks” type of performance but despite this workshop presentation it is brilliantly written sketch comedy. Sure it’s a little rough around the edges and not all of it lands but therein lies the charm: the scrappy little sketch show that could. It’s a deliberately messy affair with the pair often breaking character to discuss the success (or lack) of the current scene and get a little meta. This self doubt adds some comedic fun but is largely unnecessary as the audience is already rolling in the aisles.
You know you’re in for a high octane performance from the outset as Max dances around the room to some bangin’ dance music as the audience files in. The random sketch conceits wedged against one another results in a rollercoaster ride of scenarios that keeps you on your toes and chortling with barely a pause. We get silly song parodies that hilariously fail to scan, strange game show segments, surreal scenes that ridiculously escalate, and some disturbing physical acts that have you simultaneously repulsed and bent over with laughter. Add some airborne foodstuff and you have fifty minutes of wonderful anarchy.
Douglas Rintoul & Max Paton work brilliantly together with both throwing themselves bodily into the wacky scenarios, unafraid to look the fool. It works particulary well when Max plays clown to Doug’s straight man though both have delightfully crazy stage personas. They have their tech person Jacinta working overtime with an extensive foley and wacky effects to soundtrack the boys’ mimed sketches. It is through this soundboard that she becomes the third member of the cast, insulting the guys with a cartoonish cuss or deliberately messing with their cues.
With such a limited run, you should ensure you spend a Monday evening with this hilarious duo. You will not be disappointed.
Doug & Max Do 50 Minutes of Their Worst Ideas is on every Monday at The Motley Bauhaus until April 14
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/doug-max-do-50-minutes-of-their-worst-ideas/
