Review by Steve Bennett

Review

In 2004, Chortle said the Madge & Monty characters Brian Damage and Vicky de Lacy employed in their Pear Shaped At Midnight Show would be ideal for a BBC Radio series. The BBC somehow ignored this advice, but the characters have now been expanded into a cod radio show for the Fringe.

There are sections for stand-up, songs, news, gardening tips, DIY, 'luvvie of the week', weather, a quiz, Australian sheep shearing, and some rapping. But the format is slightly uncertain, with Thirties subjects and characters interspersed with those from 2006.

There is also the awkward decision for the performers to stand at their separate microphones holding and reading scripts. Realistic for a broadcast recording, but unsettling in a stage show.

This could be a four-star show, held back by an insufficiently developed format. But it remains a cracking idea.

John Fleming

Review date: 1 Jan 2006
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett