Maff Brown: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Gilded Balloon Teviot

Maff Brown looks like an unlikely frontman for a sketch troupe, which suits an hour that's unlike any normal sketch show. He starts by individually introducing his fellow performers, which seems unnecessary until you realise the show is more about them than the sketches.

Taken at face value, these scenes are almost universally terrible. If you think you've heard bad gags before prepare to have your world rocked. There's recurring bad puns, sketches that the cast seemingly give up on, and even one that ends with an apology. The troupe are under no illusion how corny most of it is, they just see it as a positive and it sort-of works.

There's a clever use of a projector screen (used to title sketches and set the scene) which shields as a back stage area for costume changes. However, there are no real props and the production quality gives the feel of a school talent show.

Brown is far funnier than his own show, with his comments through the fourth wall  gaining more laughs than the content. Most of the big laughs come from things happening outside of the confines of the sketch, such as an explanation as to why the sketch isn't racist or Brown convincing the crowd their groans are really claps.

The skits fly past at a dizzying pace, and while the asides make up for a lot of the horror, some of the longer ones are unsalvageable. A meta-sketch involving two of the troupe being accidentally married on stage induced groans so loud you'd think the entire audience were simultaneously stricken with food poisoning.

This is the sketch equivalent of a hot curry, depending on your tolerance for shockingly bad wordplay and corny sketches it could be hilarious or it could be heinous. At one point Brown addresses the crowd with disbelief anyone could even pay for this, and a discerning audience is likely to agree.

It's good in the same way Plan 9 From Outer Space is good, with a cult following a certainty, but mainstream success an impossibility. It's definitely an experience, it's just debatable what kind.

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He's a bit predictable. "Any Americans in here tonight". When I saw him, he was poking fun at a local paper. Not massively original.

Emin, September 2012

What on earth has Maff done cutting his hair? He now looks like a fat Chris Moyles!

Dave Loves Curls, September 2012

I was highly offended by this snooty and unfunny comedian. He's simular to Frankie Boyle for how he attacks the less advantaged, except in Brown's case it the working classes that get picked on. His parents must have been awfully right-wing for him to turn out this way. It seems he used to do warm-up for Loose Women ehich would explain the quality of his material. Extremely unpleasant man.

Mark, September 2012

Maff is awesome! I'm glad to see him now MC'ing outside of Kingston. Outside of the box is one of the best comedy nights there is.

James Williams, October 2011

There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance and "Maff" gets it wrong wrong wrong. Oh and he isn't funny! Waste of a tenner. avoid.

Abigail, April 2011

I have never seen a better comedian, and I have seen Andy Parsons. For his audience interaction, charisma, and hilarious name - well worth a watch.

TOM POW, January 2011

I think Maff Brown is a good example that running your own club and making contacts with better established acts can get you far with little talent. Agree with the other comments on here. He's boring and unfunny but he's obviously managed to sell and market himself well - hence the good gigs he somehow gets.

G, November 2010

More egotistical than funny. Seems to think he is better than you, which makes for uncomfortable viewing. I get the impression he's the "joker" amongst his friends, someone once told him he was funny, and he's taken it too far. I left irritated and in need of a good laugh. wouldn't recommend!

Pat, November 2010

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