Show Details
Pappy's Fun Club [2007]
Show type: Edinburgh Fringe 2007
Starring Comic:
Matthew Crosby

Pappy's Fun Club [2007]


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Videos

Pappy's Fun Club - BBC At The Fringe

The boys from Pappy's Fun Club enjoy a heady combination of candyfloss and fast rides at the funfair. But will Pappy himself make an appearance?
More Pappy's Fun Club [2007] videos
Pappy's Fun Club - BBC At The Fringe
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Description

2007 if.comedy award nominee

Hooray! The Fun Club's back in town! Since last year we've been nominated as Chortle's Best Newcomers, heard on Radio 4's '28 Acts in 28 Minutes' and written a whole new show! No? No? No? Yes!

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Reviews

Original Review:

They claim it’s entirely faked, but there is a wonderful chemistry between the four cheery young members of Pappy’s Fun Club. Between them, they create a natural, knockabout energy: a gang show mentality they apply to inventive ideas, resulting a joyously upbeat hour of fast-paced shenanigans.

Their show starts relatively soberly. After the introductions are made we embark on a few imaginatively conceived scenes, restrained in delivery: such as the horror-movie trailer for Things That Are Only Scary For A Short Amount Of Time, or the mild-mannered prankster Len Taunton. They’re well done, but initially not much to elevate them above the sketch-show norm.

But gradually, though, the pieces and characters get sillier and sillier. Abraham Lincoln makes an appearance, obsessed with the phrase ‘four score and seven’; folk trio Marty, Mim and Julius entertain, with their unconventional line-up; a topless taxman with a child’s cash register strapped to his head chases up unpaid revenue; and the directions Up, Down, Left And Right star in their very own skit.

If it sounds wacky, well it is – but the script is sharp, too, not just odd for odd’s sake. And it’s all performed with a wickedly playful sense of fun. If a foursome can have a glint in their collective eye, then this lot have. None of them, incidentally, is called Pappy – that’s the name of the unseen, hospital-ridden benefactor who’s financing this splendid jamboree.

As the show drives forward, characters reappear and jokes recalled as the fragmented nature of sketch shows is thwarted, and elements of structure revealed. Finally, an inspired piece of audience participation unravels the genre brilliantly.

It’s the unquenchable verve of performers Tom Parry, Matthew Crosby, Ben Clark and Brendon Dodds that makes this such a joy, backed by some very clever writing. If you like We Are Klang, you’ll love this

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
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Comments

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I agree with Tom Pollard. My daughter and I never laughed once and walked out after 40 minutes of unfunny "jokes". It was a total waste of 40 minutes and money. These guys are not funny and i am surprised that anyone thinks they are. Do they write the good posts themselves? Yes avoid. Never seen anything so lame.

Sandi Ormerwood, June 2009

A glimpse on the future of comedy. The future's bright, the future's Pappy

Swash Buckley, August 2007

One of the best things I've ever seen

Wil Hodgson, August 2007

Complete rubbish. I want my hour back!

Chris Smith, August 2007

Four stars seems a bit mean. What a fabulous show - only an idiot would miss it - and even I didn't.

subs, August 2007

These guys were ace - I had a week at the fringe and crammed in some great acts with more years behind them, like Daniel Kitson and Stewart Lee - but Pappy's stole the show. By the end of their performance the audience were laughing their heads off, and had been for some time - these guys are going places.

Jamie Hamilton, August 2007

Absolute pleasure, get in, get involved. Very strong material, and it's really new. I'm a veteran at the fringe, and this is giving very strong vibes to be a huge hit. Keep it up lads, i'll see you on the telly!

Jerry, August 2007

Fresh very funny these clubbers will be soon be flying high. Excellent writing running gags they are having a ball - join them. You even get a free badge

marcus shepperdson, August 2007

This is the funnniest show I've seen in ages so funny that I've put three "N's" in the word funniest! If they were an ebay seller I'd say "Great seller A+++++++++++++++"

Okse, August 2007

Fast-paced, clever and unbelievably funny. Avoid at your peril!

Porter, August 2007

A joyful show that will make your day. The chemistry between the guys is great, the writing is strong and the performances wonderful. A must see.

christina, August 2007

One of the worst acts I've ever seen. A bunch of untalanted, unfunny public school boys (I assume from their demeanour), performing sketches, even the best of which are hack and uninteresting. Avoid at all cost!

Tom Pollard, June 2007

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