After the success of their last joint effort, A Port-Hole Into the Minds of the Vanquished, Warwick Allsopp and Tamlyn Henderson once more pursue their penchant for the unwaveringly peculiar and fervently grotesque in The Jinglists, a story of two half brothers mourning the loss of their mysteriously absent mother. Since their loss, neither have left their apartment and their only communication with the outside world is through the mail flap in their front door.

Audiences quickly realise that the beloved absent mother perhaps, quite wisely, made a swift exit from this domestic nightmare to escape her two odd, yet talented sons, Leigh and Lermon. Perhaps “mother’s” disappearance was just her lucky break because, as riotous as this pair is to watch, the apartment where this entire show is set would certainly be nightmarish to inhabit.

Secure in their rules and routines, Leigh and Lermon both possess a natural ability to instantly compose the perfect commercial jingle for any enterprise, from furniture warehouses to late-night escorts. It isn't until an enticing feminine voice leaks in through the mailbox that the pair begin to come to grips with the reality of their confines.

Allsopp and Henderson make an exquisite musical duo and the technical production of this show is extremely professional. Likewise, the grotesque props and costuming – too good to spoil before you see them in the flesh – work perfectly in the seamlessly surreal landscape of the show.

What I loved about The Jinglists was the show’s complete dedication to the bizarre. These writers hold nothing back from their audience, regardless of the cringe (or nausea) factor; in fact they have an obvious fetish for pushing audiences into another realm or reality where this factor is a way of life. Both actors are completely dedicated to their characters’ psychological deformities and the blackness of the show’s humour helps you laugh at them, out loud.

The narrative seems almost incomplete though, discarded disappointingly in the show’s final moments. Absurdity wins over the plot in the end but not necessarily the audience, as the storyline pales in comparison to the effort put into other elements of the show. Despite a lack of complete narrative strength, The Jinglists takes a lot of risks that really pay off and contains a number of “doozies” that you will kick yourself for missing out on.

Title: The Jinglists

Venue: The Old Fitzroy Theatre – Cnr Cathedral & Dowling Sts, Woolloomooloo.

Season: 13th May -  31 May 2008

Tickets: $20 Concession, $28 Adult, $34 Beer, Laksa & Show

Bookings: www.rocksurfers.org or 1300 GET TIX (1300 438 849)