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Review: Judith Lucy and Denise Scott

From stories about the trappings of ageing to nude suits and rhythmic gymnastics, comedic pals Judith Lucy and Denise Scott dish up a joyously honest Fringe show, writes Nicky Titchener. ★★★★

Mar 09, 2017, updated Mar 09, 2017

Even when there is a slight hitch in the unveiling of “Jude and Scotty”, they have a relaxed and amicable approach to deflecting any awkwardness, turning their attention instead towards some unfortunate latecomers, which immediately brings the audience in on the collective joke.

With this, we were invited into the wild and audacious world of these two good friends and entertainers, where the autobiographical becomes incredible, and stand-up becomes lie-down because you can reach your drink more easily (thank goodness for bendy straws).

Judith Lucy and Denise Scott try to believe the publicity that “they love their bodies, their careers and who they have become”, but thank goodness they are as fallible as the rest of us.

In this show, titled Disappointments, they regaled us with all the assorted trappings of ageing, ranging from the dysfunctional bowel to arthritic knees and all the joys of menopause.

The audience was a gratifying mix of ages and genders, which gifted the women with opportunities to meet and greet and gently insult in a way so beautifully crafted by Dame Edna.

They moved seamlessly from nightwear to their stage suits with shine and glitter to a different kind of suit altogether, interspersing the changes with alternate routines and stories, then merging into an exchange of insults, which was almost shocking – until they made it clear that each had written her own invective for the other to fling.  Thus Lucy being described as a drunken slut and Scott as a pufferfish in a suit were self-deprecating rather than outrageous.

Whatever your age, you’ll identify with the sharp distinction they draw between the rubbish we put on Facebook and the “crashing disappointment” of our real lives.

The language (described in the program as “coarse and frequent”) isn’t offensive and, although you may need a strong stomach to envision some of the medical procedures they describe, this show is joyously honest.

The patriotic finale incorporates rhythmic gymnastics, “I Still Call Australia Home” and Those (Nude) Suits.   What more could you want?  The audience answered with rapturous applause.

Four stars

Judith Lucy and Denise Scott are at The Vagabond in the Garden of Unearthly Delights until March 19.

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