Review by Steve Bennett

The show divides in two, with the first half forming round some beautiful traditional stagecraft, and you’ll be glad to hear, a ten-minute tutorial on the correct pronunciation of their name.

The audience is divided panto-style and required to shout a syllable each. Red cards are issued to sections which fail to reach the required volume, while the vociferous are rewarded with exclusive tricks, performed behind a suit jacket so the other side cannot see. Without a word these two have cast a glamour on this big room.

With this achieved they launch the second half, a tale of rivalry in the Wild West, where the invisible sarsaparilla slides up and down the bar, and unseen bullets rattle tins and wrack bodies with a timing that’s almost supernatural. There is a magical symbiosis between Hiropon and Ketch that is a real joy to watch.

For this show the childless should borrow some kids, the grannyless should grab someone from the bus stop. The rat-tat-tat of visual gags will hold everyone’s attention, and probably squeeze a smile from the baby. It is truly a family show, transcending all the cultural and generational borders that can render so many Fringe shows less than universally recommendable. It’s simply great fun.

Reviewed by: Chloe Smith

Review date: 1 Jan 2008
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett