Review by Steve Bennett

The Umbilical Brothers are a high-energy cross between street theatre, stand-up and Hanna Barbera.

Like a cartoon made flesh, their tightly choreographed antics provide unadulterated entertainment, as physical comedy and mime combine in a surreal display of clowning and slapstick.

However, this (mostly) family-friendly show generates more gentle chuckles that heartfelt belly-laughs, and sometimes it's more impressive than it is funny.

But you cannot fault the skill with which these human dynamos execute their particular brand of inspired, if infantile, silliness, which certainly proved immensely popular with the sell-out crowd.

There are some nice ideas at play, too, such as the imaginary remote control that has them leaping around like a video on fast-forward or lapsing into 'porn mode', and the menacing figure of the roadie.

But for all the demands it makes on the performers, it makes very few on its audience. All good fun, nonetheless.

Review date: 1 Jan 2006
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett