Spaghetti and ketchup. Pineapple and pizza. Felix and Oscar. They say opposites attract, but sometimes they’re better left alone. The Odd Couple follows two divorced friends who decide to live together… only there’s one problem… Oscar thrives in a messy, laid-back environment, while Felix prefers his quarters spick, span and neatly polished. Can this mismatched duo work together, or will their differences cause yet another divorce?
From a successful Broadway play in the 60s, The Odd Couple was adapted into a beloved 1968 film and an iconic 70s TV series, bringing its infectious laughter from the stage to the screen. Now returning with a new Australian production, Neil Simon’s comedic gem has cemented itself as a timeless classic, introducing a new generation to one of the most famous incompatible duos.
This production introduces Shane Jacobson as Oscar and Todd McKenney as Felix, two veteran comedic performers who share electric chemistry from their time spent together on stage. There’s no questioning the casting choice, as both actors perfectly embody the personalities of the characters they play. The Odd Couple doesn’t work if the mutual bond and conflict between Oscar and Felix isn’t felt through every moment, and thankfully Jacobson and McKenney bounce off each other really well. You immediately get the sense that they are best friends who have a strong love/hate relationship, and that then feeds into the effectiveness of the comedy. The quips they throw back and forth feel very natural and organic, as they would with any close friends, which adds to the impact of the story. All in all, it’s this pairing that the success of the entire production is built on, and thankfully it’s a strong, reliable foundation.
As for the comedy itself, the audience as a whole warmed up the production as it went on. The first act especially felt a little tonally out of sorts as it dealt with more serious themes, while also trying to keep the mood light. It doesn’t feature many moments of interaction between Oscar and Felix, rather it’s the ensemble of men who are tasked with bringing the laughs. And while they each have their moments to shine, the humour doesn’t hit quite as strong, save for a few good chuckles and chaotic scenarios. On top of that, the American accents took some getting used to, especially that from Shane Jacobson. He dipped in and out of American-Aussie as he spoke through the first act, but it got stronger with time.
The style of comedy skews heavily on the silly side, which works for Jacobson and McKenney’s typical comedic approach, but where it begins to fall apart is when the slapstick physical comedy begins to play a role. That’s one element of the show that took things from silly and fun to ridiculous and uninspired – it’s not a heavy component, but it’s there enough to be noticeably subpar. There’s something about Todd McKenney prancing around the stage doing awkward movements and making unnatural sounds that was unappealing.
Overall, the humour is well delivered across the board with big hits and misses throughout, but as becomes abundantly clear in Act II, the real stars of the show are not Jacobson and McKenney after all. The introduction of the ditzy Pigeon sisters is the highlight of the night – they’re the breath of fresh air the show needed to balance out the testosterone-heavy opening act. Lucy Durack and Penny McNamee liven up the stage as Cecily and Gwendolyn in a sequence where every line of dialogue, every quirky sound made and every moment of physical weirdness is executed to perfection. Their high-pitched squeals sent the audience into one eruption of laughter after the next, turning the chaos of the production up to an 11 and delivering the most memorable moments. There’s more laughs contained within their limited stage time than the rest of the production, which speaks volumes to their brilliance.
The thing that keeps the production from stagnating or becoming tiresome is the snappy pace that it moves. There’s a couple of slower scenes here and there where it opens up for some reflective character moments, but for the most part it’s always pushing the story forwards. The hijinks of Oscar in Felix could get repetitive, but there’s enough new elements injected to keep each act fresh and intriguing.
One thing’s for certain – The Odd Couple has ensured Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre lives up to its namesake. While not every joke lands and it takes a while for the comedic tone to really settle in, this production is sure to fill your night with a healthy dose of laughter. Shane Jacobson’s Oscar and Todd McKenney’s Felix are the perfect mismatched duo, complementing each other and clashing in ways that produce hilarious results. Amongst all their chaos, look out for the infectious joy that the Pigeon sisters spread through the theatre from the moment they enter stage. Their comedic presence brings the gut-busting laughter that’ll have you cackling on your way out and on the way home. If it’s laughter you’re after, The Odd Couple has got you sorted.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Odd Couple is now playing at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne through to June 23rd, 2024. It then slides on over to Sydney from June 27th. For more information and to purchase tickets, head HERE.
Reviewer attended on Thursday May 23rd, 2024
Photo credit: Pia Johnson
