The “opening act” for Two Hearts – the brainchild of London-based New Zealanders Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore – is also them.
Incognito as some kinda hokey American country outfit, the pair hilariously bag their headliners out before performing a song about Men’s Mental Health (“I took an ice bath, now I’m an empath”) and we’re already all-in.
Then after a quick costume change, Laura and Joseph return to the stage. Every single time a disembodied voice in their pre-recorded backing track announces Two Hearts, they execute Power Rangers-esque gestures in uniform precision and have their audience in stitches.
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Genius song topics are at the heart of Don’t Stop Throbbing – making Salvos donations sexy, getting preggers for your gay friends, “the four baby mamas of Elon Musk”, tourists who prioritise war museums while holidaying – so tuning into every single lyric is mandatory. This duo’s unflinching, irreverent brand of musical comedy also takes aim at paedophiles and pescatarians: “FUCK FIIIIIISH!” – Joseph yowls, utilising hardcore-style unclean vocals.
Two Hearts have fun with their accompanying visuals, too – Windows Movie Maker, anyone? – and Chemist Warehouse Pre-Game makes excellent use of brochures while also spruiking specific, party-enhancing items (eg. “Hydralytes in my Aperol Spritz”).
Within this show’s premise, Laura has written a “one-woman, four women” musical, where she plays every role. Her sights are set on London’s West End. We score a preview song from Four – which bears an uncanny resemblance to the hit pop musical, Six – toward Don’t Stop Throbbing’s end and it’s brilliantly bonkers.
You can tell these partners in both comedy and life still manage to surprise one another during ad-libbed bits and their genuine affection/ribbing is a joy to watch.
Don’t Stop Throbbing is batshit crazy in the best possible way. Think: Confidence Man, but more ridiculous.
- Audience participation: Take a seat in the front row at your own risk.
- Best bit: The actual Vape Store sign they snapped in East London – “Don’t kill yourself. Start vape” – which forms the basis of a standout number.
- See also: Laura Daniel’s solo MICF show, Can You Smell That? Must Be A Queen Going Off (Victoria Hotel until 20 April)
- Heartcore Karaoke (Comedy Republic, 11.55pm every Fri and Sat night of MICF).
Get tickets to Two Hearts here.
