When we hear the word ‘heist’, our mind jumps to high tech gadgets, corporate espionage and John Rogers. What Elf Lyons and Duffy’s Heist is, is a comic-book like story where character triumphs over plot. Using mime, sign language and visual vernacular (VV), this physical comedy is a chaotic show that is very unsafe for work.
A wild ride
Set in the fictional Murder City, Elf steals Duffy’s personal effects and ropes him into a bank heist in order to get revenge on an evil alien nonce that is terrorising the city. As the plot is made from Elf’s favourite signs, the plot is tied together with the loosest of threads, but it’s what makes the show so enjoyable to watch. It’s just simply ridiculous, most of which comes in the little detailing of the mundane, or putting ordinary things in scenarios where they normally don't belong that make the plot so extraordinary and scenes to watch.
This show allows Elf and Duffy to showcase their talents as performers; both individually and as a pair. For the majority of the show, Elf adds sound effects to Duffy’s mimicry, and uses a wide range of vocal textures in order to do so. It’s truly astonishing at times the sounds that are produced for they appear almost inhumane or beyond the range of human vocal capabilities, but somehow, Elf manages to do it. Duffys’ mimicry is incredibly clear and fluid as he builds the world and narrative, conveying a sense of character and tone in every movement.
The chaotic nature stems from the show within the show. On one hand the pair are telling a story, on the other they are continually breaking in order to comment on each other’s performance. Their partnership is at the heart of the show, and they use every opportunity they have to turn up the comedy.
This nonsensical Heist is the epitome of fun. It's a vehicle for Elf and Duffy’s creative expression, in all the forms that it takes, and we’re just there for a wild ride.
