Comedy Bitch - Fringe 2009
Live Review

The Fringe pretty much exists to bring new sketch groups out of the woodwork: myriad teams of young hopefuls few have ever before heard of, all seeming to offer pretty much of a muchness. That Comedy Bitch’s programme entry wastes the first ten of its precious 40 words with the uninspiringly functional: ‘A brand new sketch show debut’s at this year’s Fringe’ probably wouldn’t convince you that this is anything special.

But they are certainly worth a punt, because although you may not have heard of this three-boy, three-girl team before, you’re more than likely to in the future. They’re not yet 100 per cent consistent – that old ‘bit hit and miss’ cliché - but when they are good, they’re very good indeed.

There’s a rich seam of invention running through much of their work, as they repeatedly avoid the obvious and make imaginative leaps to ensure distinctive twists to each situation. Even when you think you might have seen something similar before – such as the clipped-vowel parody of Brief Encounter, these talented young newcomers pull an unexpected twist.

As well as strong writing, the team are great to watch. All their CVs boast of a theatrical background - and indeed they are fine actors – but there’s also lightness to their lively performances stage graduates don’t always have, that makes the fourth wall here seem very flimsy indeed.

In style, the sketches tend to be set in a familiar situation: first date, babysitting, travelling on a night bus, a mime class (that might be stretching it a bit….) before the reality curves in unexpected ways to create surreal situations, but treated as everyday.

They play with the form a bit, not too experimental, but using an offstage mic and pre-recorded dialogue to great effect. And also they are rare in using music tracks under many of the sketches, not just as bumpers to fill in between scene changes. It’s subtle, but it gives the show a more televisual feel.

Well, they might as well start preparing for the small screen now. Surely a pilot commission won’t be long in coming.