Belvoir's Double Exposure

This show is a stand up comedy double header comprised of Flacco's "Beyond the Pale" and Marty Murphy's "Happy and Clean". Murphy relies on voice characterisation and mime to deliver a hilarious back story schtick explaining how he became a B grade movie director after beginning showbiz as a failed multi- instrumentalist in the local RSL club band.

The fifty minute performance is well-paced, the script lean and punchy and the jokes hit the mark most of the time. Murphy's understated physical comedy works well with his highly developed vocal work.

Never once did he falter as he cut between over twenty characters in the wonderfully circuitous narrative. This guy is very funny. His portrayal of a bagpipe player in the line up of John Farnham's "You're the Voice" is pure gold. It brought tears to my eyes. I enjoyed the working class Australianness of the characters which he managed to deliver with affection and a kind of respect that is often missing in the Kath ' Kimmism approach.

The routine was neither especially happy nor, I am pleased to report, clean. Murphy spins a lovely yarn around some backdoor action at the tradesman's entrance that had the audience in stitches. Murphy could be the love child of Rowan Atkinson and Carl Barron. Watch out for him.

Paul Livingstone's comic alter ego Flacco has been stalking the nation's stages and airwaves for at least twenty five years. His show has the kind of looseness that comes with long experience but runs the risk of tipping over into complacency.

His fifty minute 'high brow' preamble is a neat idea full of the acerbic wit and the semantic shenanigans Flacco fans have come to know and love. Livingstone is very comfortable on stage which makes it easy for an audience to trust him from the get go and take the journey. Like Murphy he is possessed of considerable physical skill and can send an audience into fits with a ripple of his rubber face.

This was a less convincing performance than Murphy's, if comparisons must be made, simply because of its fluid improv which at times falters. But the Downstairs audience lapped it up and left the theatre reciting Flacco jokes they would later tell their friends. This is one of the signs of a good comic.

Double Exposure closes soon so turn off the TV and go. You'll leave with a smile on your face and a bunch of jokes to recycle. Great value for money and a good night out.

Venue: Belvoir Street Downstairs
Season Dates: Until February 10