Misery
Neil Triffett
Enter Closer and Crowded
17 April 2019
Tasma Terrace
to 21 April
comedyfestival.com.au
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| Neil Triffett |
There have been a lot of positive upbeat isn't-life-awseome shows this festival, so it was great to get back to the real source of comedy: Misery.
Misery, a keyboard, a ukulele and an opening song that's about being a self-indulgent performer.
Neil Triffett has had some difficult times, even if he is a white bloke in his 30s. There was being nine in 1996 and living in Port Arthur in Tasmania. It wasn't so much the horrendous massacre, but the assigned school counsellor with large breasts. And the later regret of not buying a goat in India.
Neil is at his best when he's singing. He songs are full of wit and character and are totally sing-along-able. He's also at his best when he's telling stories about himself. But this is a new work. There are lots of ideas that are still finding a way to come together and tell the bigger story that's clearly hiding in there.
It's also a personal work that leaves many questions unanswered. Neil genuinely connects with his audience, who are on his side and want to gang up on the people who have caused him misery. But we want to know more about his mum not being ok with him being gay, and the double punch of a break up at the same time a feature film didn't find its audience. When an audience are left guessing, they don't have the space to really connect with the performer. Or, audiences are total nosey parkers and want to know more.
And give Emo the Musical a watch on Netflix. Just because some critics were "ouch", doesn't mean there aren't lots of people who will love it.
