Original Review:

Show Rating:

This double bill of Brummies (well, West Brom and Wolverhampton) suffers from offering too much of the same thing, with no contrast in their comedy styles.

Karen Bayley, an ex-teacher, was efficient with a faultlessly well-written routine. She has lots of Brummie jokes and Christmas came early for her when she discovered an entire row of Brummies in the small audience.

Her laugh-out-loud jokes are based round traditional but good observational comedy subjects and this plus superb audience control should see her continue and prosper on the live circuit.

Susan Murray suffered from following a better comic doing much the same line in observational humour.

But, whereas Bayley was mistress of some charming put-downs, Murray came across as comparatively cold, opening with an unremitting yet weak slagging-off of Scots, Brummies and the Welsh.

The mask dropped on three occasions when she justifiably laughed at three particularly well-crafted jokes of hers and, underneath, could be seen a much warmer and more attractive character. That's the one she should go with.

When last sighted, Susan Murray was in risque territory; currently, she seems adrift in Comedyland.