I have a dread of unexplained outfits and too many props so on first appearances this show shouldn’t work for me on any level! BUT… 10 out of 10 to Kathryn Bond and Lorna Shaw, aka The Silky Pair, for my great conversion! Their saving grace is that they have a brilliant narrative that gives life to all the bits and bobs.
Silky underwear, ‘dude’ sunglasses, assorted jackets and negligees (not the sexy Burlesque kind), sports accessories, witches hats, a guitar – no it’s not the end of the Generation Game, these are all part of a conveyor belt of fast paced comedy sketches, linked together by the theme of a pop up shop. All neatly rounded off by a surprise guest slot at the end of the show – which I presume varies daily – which was the hilarious Fair & Square, Best Newcomers in this year’s Musical Comedy Awards, on the day I went.
Unlike a lot of sketch duos at the Fringe that I’ve seen so far, (there may be more… just saying) Lorna and Katherine ‘host’ in between their sketches, and do this with aplomb, in the style of comedy masters such as Morecambe and Wise, French and Saunders, Mel and Sue, Little and Large. I know that their real life personalities are not far from this comic portrayal, as in the tradition of stand up, and their likeability and energy ensures that you’re engaged from the off.
I admit to being somewhat biased but did view the show with a critic’s eye despite the fact that these two lovely ladies have made it through to the final of this year’s Funny Women Awards and caught the beady eye of top comedy critic Stephen Armstrong in the Sunday Times. In fact, it’s almost harder to impress somebody who is already on your team.
Can’t wait to see them on stage again – the charity Final takes place on Monday 24th September, Leicester Square Theatre, London. See HERE for more details.
What they talked about: pop up shops, being chatted up, and dressing up.
Show Details: 3:25pm, Just the Tonic at the Caves BOOK HERE.
Rating: