A few days before ANZAC day I’m waiting for Richard McKenzie in a room at the RSL Duckboard House, Paul Kelly playing through the PA, the lights dim and Paul is replaced with The Herd’s cover of ‘Only 19′, a small screen on stage shows slide images of Australians during war. I’m feeling a bit nervous because the show is called Digger and my selfish relationship with ANZAC day is a public holiday.

McKenzie replaces the slides and seems a little nervous as well, but after a few minutes settles into the show. I relax a little bit too, because the show is not all about war, diggers and Australian pride. It’s an entertaining personal journey into the McKenzie family’s past duties with the Armed Services and is nicely rounded out with other stories about the current McKenzie on stage. There is some funny stuff in there and I’m thinking now, should I’ve been really laughing at Great Grandfather McKenzie’s invention.

Richard McKenzie puts in a solid performance, taking the piss out his family (and himself) without dissing them. He just needs to slow down a little bit and take a deep breath. The show was delivered at breakneck speed, but with such excellent material McKenzie doesn’t need to rush, maybe just one or two sips of that beer he had with him will make a good show great.