Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Whoever said that monastic life was serene?

Two medieval monks – Annie Luján and Veronica Hortigüela –  welcome us weary pilgrims to their monastery so we can eat, drink and hang out in the field with a donkey in these few days before the abbot returns. Fa la la!

But first we must call shame on those intent on doing the devil’s dealings and hand over worldly possessions (should you be foolish enough to do so) and maybe help out in the daily Sisyphean toil of counting the lentil supplies. Be warned: in the real world it is slightly irritating to be given a handful of the pulses to hold on to for longer than is comfortable.

This personable pair are adept at this crowd work, creating brotherly nicknames for those they interact with, setting up a few daft scenes and establishing themselves as being in command, but flexible enough to roll with – nay encourage – a bit of unpredictability.

Then a gloriously cacophonous storm – a very effective use of a tiny budget this – in which all hell breaks loose… as does their donkey. Proceedings become very pantomime as the brothers have to make the plaintive cry: ‘Has anyone seen my ass?’ Fair play to the duo’s commitment to this double entendre, taking it to extremes. 

Our clowns Luján and Hortigüela have an undeniable chemistry with each other and the audience, able to whip the room into a coherent group with a single intent. They are willing to humiliate themselves for a gag, and let the show get playfully messy.

That chaotic narrative takes an abrupt gear change at the end, however, as the monk characters are dropped for a moment of reflection about appreciating your loved ones which – although sincere – feels too much like a contrivance to get into what performers are supposed to do in a Fringe show, as if just having silly fun with this fleeting community was not enough. Were we really seeking an epiphany?

Review date: 28 Aug 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Greenside @ George Street