Show Rating:

A fast moving, energetic and colourful show filled with well observed characters including a Hollywood wannabe waiter to a new take on The King of jazz; Jamie Cullum. They point the finger at the hilarity of male/female relationships including the minefield that is speed dating.

With their observations about modern lifestyles and finely polished exteriors, Lick & Chew performers Heather Pilkington and Chris Fitchew promise much in the way of contemporary sketch comedy. Their slickness, however, fails to disguise the plague of comedically dated material and faulted writing that infests the show.

Opening with a sketch satirising the celebrity culture of trash magazines such as Heat and Zoo, before poking fun at (among others) Jamie Cullum and Australian students in London, the show's topics are current. But rather than infusing the bizarre, Lick & Chew are the equivalent of a bland observational stand-up, recreating everyday scenes.

Many of the sketches simply echo topics that are discussed time and time again within comedy clubs – as evidence by the tired old speed dating device use to structure the show. They are simply recycling old topics without adding anything new. Despite their glossy exteriors, created by energetic, exaggerated performances, the sustenance of the observations is just not original enough to make an impact.

Even when there are glimpses of imagination, they are either lost in mediocre surroundings or – particularly in the case of the promising extended finale – stretched out beyond breaking point.

That ending, the break-up of a happy marriage played out through miming to a medley of Queen songs, is a good premise but, despite a couple of surprises is elongated beyond belief. As a result, the laughter dies into perhaps thirty seconds of silence before the next comic moment finally appears.

It is an example of poorly thought-out writing, even if they can perfectly time the finish to leave the stage to mass laughter and applause - despite the fact that the same audience were quiet just minutes earlier.

Generally, then, this is a case of style instead of substance, as Lick & Chew gloss over their elderly observations and problematic writing with enthusiastic and sometimes note-perfect performances. However, with so much other talent on display at this festival, it just is not enough to shine through.