Eurydice Dixon was an aspiring comedian and actress, much loved by her colleagues in Melbourne’s arts scene. Her name should’ve been known for an edgy brand of comedy, but, instead, she was cast into the nation’s headlines after being attacked and murdered in Melbourne’s Princes Park in June 2018.
But more than a year on, some of Ms Dixon’s closest comedic friends are honouring the young woman by completing the project she was never able to finish.
Eurydice Dixon's brand of edgy and thought-provoking humour will be reborn through 'Inconvenient Empathy'. Source: AAP
Coming to the Melbourne Fringe Festival is ‘Inconvenient Empathy,’ a comedy piece equal parts complex and challenging of modern issues - and the show's much-hyped one-night-only appearance has already been extended into a second evening.
“It’s all about the sympathy she had as a fairly radical feminist towards men’s rights activists groups,” friend and fellow comedian Greg “Duff” Duffield told SBS News.
The comedian spent years working alongside Ms Dixon and, along with his partner in crime Sofie Prints and fellow funnyman Andrew Roberts, is dedicated to ensuring his friend's show goes on.
Eurydice Dixon was attacked as she walked barefoot through Princes Park on 12 June after performing a comedy gig. Source: Facebook
“Sadly she can’t do the show, so as a tribute to our lost friend we thought we would present the show for her.
"Thank you Eurydice for giving us a huge challenge.”
Touching on the topics of male-female suicide rates, PTSD and the gender pay gap, Mr Duffield said the material was as close to Ms Dixon’s comedic vision as it comes.
“It’s hilarious, feel-good material,” Mr Duffield.
“We’re not the worst comedians in the world, don’t tell Andrew and Sofie … I’m excited to do a show for a friend with two talented fellow comedians.”
Close friend and fellow comedian Greg 'Duff' Duffield says Ms Dixon's laugh was "magic". Source: AAP
While the show has already played out on a far smaller scale for close friends, Mr Duffield said the upcoming shows will see him firmly outside of his comfort zone.
“I’m just a crazy prop comic, this is what I usually do, freaking pirate stuff! Men’s rights activists is a whole new territory for me … probably the best way to honour Eurydice, we have to pull our socks up and do her proud.”
For the close-knit group of larger than life comics, Inconvenient Empathy is an opportunity to also mend the heartache of losing a dear friend.
Eurydice Dixon’s friend and fellow comedian Greg “Duff” Duffield performs. Source: Supplied
“It’s such a crazy tragedy on so many levels. I used to go to my therapist and (talk about) the public side of this. Grief, healing, how do you move on? It’s just like a very bright light in the universe has gone out, but we’re trying to shine our own light a bit brighter to make up for a light that is gone out…if only there was a little dimming switch for all of humanity," Mr Duffield said.
Inconvenient Empathy plays at the Melbourne Fringe Festival on the 19th & 24th September.
