Show Rating:

At first glance the Harbingers seem to be just yet another student sketch group, but a whole load of potential lies beneath the crazy-haired surface. Tommy Holgate, Winston Smith and Vincent Vivash are on the right track to produce something very special, they are just not quite there yet.

There is a nice chemistry between the trio: they possess an obvious talent for comedy acting, and their writing is heading in the right direction, even it is just not quite hitting the mark. They have a keen eye for untapped sources of funny, with some refreshingly surreal looks at the dangerous side of furniture salesmanship and marine biology- but sadly most of their sketches outstay their welcome, fizzling out with no big pay-off or lingering on after the laugh.

The highlight of the show was a shorter sketch based around the old comedy faithful of somebody arriving into the conversation late and misinterpreting a question. This was a beautifully sick and perfectly performed skit, with the only annoyance being that it should have only lasted 20 seconds but again was overworked. Producer/director Ed Gamble needs to take some shears to this show and give it a good editing.

Holgate, Vivash and Smith have a sparkle of what is yet to come, bristling with potential and talent. Writing needs to be sharpened and the Gervaisisms in some aspects of their delivery need to be removed but all in all this is a trio to watch out for in the future.

Reviewed by: Corry Shaw