Harrison Milas and Rob Johnson in The Recidivists.
Part cabaret and part sketch revue, The Recidivists is very, very silly – and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Comedians (and writers) Rob Johnson and Harrison Milas ask, without attempting to answer, such existential questions as ‘Why do we live?’ and ‘Why do we do the same thing over and over again before we die?’ in between dealing with a real (or is that unreal?) large, hairy monster and renditions of Glenn Campbell’s Southern Nights.
Meet a psychoanalyst who may or may not be Jung, a young man haunted by bad dreams, a showbiz entrepreneur, a stand-up called Lenny and several other strange people who pop up over the course of this 70-minute show. It’s comedy like it used to be – funny, and not too serious (remember Monty Python?). There should be more of it.
Johnson and Milas (NSW Theatresports Champions twice) sing, dance, solve mathematical puzzles, produce eggs and carry on carrying on. Director Pierce Wilcox keeps them in check. Did I say it was silly?
The pair is aided and abetted by a great four-piece band (Alex Lee, Olga Solar and Laurence Rosier Staines, under the direction of Allister Haire), who when not looking bored, deliver some great sound. Staines’ trombone solo was short, but a standout.
Described as ‘beloved weirdos of the Sydney performance scene’, Johnson and Milas share a desire to make comedy that’s ‘weird while still being loving. And we love old lounge music.’
Recently Johnson toured Australia as a song and dance man with Hayes Theatre Co/Belvoir’s Calamity Jane and STC/Black Swan’s The Torrents while Milas’ magic show The Unfair Advantage was a sell out at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
They are only at the Old Fitz for a week, so if you want an hour of laughter and surreal comedy, get there fast.
Until 26 January. Tickets $35
