Adventure, After a Time… [by Matt Baker]
A park ranger/head of security might not be what you expect as the opening act to Rhys Darby’s 2014 New Zealand Comedy Festival show, but alter ego Bill Napier’s attempt at what he refers to as the easy art of comedy is as amusing as his delivery is dry. From the ridiculous lengths he goes to in researching his first joke, to his revealing poetry, Darby/Napier, in full ranger uniform no less, is yet another example of the former’s ability as a character actor/performer. The same, however, cannot be said about Darby’s supporting act.
It’s understandable that Hedluv + Passman have received mixed reviews in the past. The musical duo’s style is incredibly incongruous with Darby’s act, and it’s not quite clear why they’ve been billed with a comedy show – other than Darby’s generosity at giving them a go in front of such a large crowd. There was an immediate sense of misapprehension from the audience, as we all slowly came to the same realisation following the first song that this was what was on offer for the remainder of act one. While Hedluv + Passman might work in the right setting, The Auckland Civic Theatre as a venue, and the crowd who had come to see Darby, were not it.
It takes a few minutes into the second act to realise that Darby’s introductory jokes about his attire are actually part of the show’s narrative, and not simply him warming the audience into his main set. It’s a perfect example of how well he’s crafted his art form, and how clever he is at storytelling. Before we know it, we’ve gone through the first of several stories that all skillfully intertwine to create a brilliant hour of comedy.
From his early days in the army, to his honeymoon in Thailand, Darby offers us a range of scenarios in which he demonstrates the reason for his aptly titled eponymous show. While the absurdity builds throughout the night to epic proportions, it’s often hard to tell how far Darby has stretched the truth, as there’s always a part of you that simply accepts it due to the passion in his delivery.
There’s still plenty of Darby’s shtick for those who remember his earlier work, but he never relies on it. What makes this show really work, is his ability to place and recall comedy gems, including a random heckle, that give the show’s narrative a sense of entirety and completeness. Even the most arbitrary moments fall into place by the end. While the second half of the first act might prove arduous for some, both Darby and Napier more than complete the Mr. Adventure adventure.
Rhys Darby: Mr Adventure plays at The Civic as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2014. Details see Comedy Festival.
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