Think Morecambe and Wise meets Smack the Pony and there lies a hybrid of traditional sketches and puerile comedy in the form of Leads and Stern. This duo provide an hour of slick classical sketch comedy (they set up the joke and BAM, hit you with the twist) whilst throwing in one or two close to the bone jokes.
Gemma Leader (Leads) and Juliette Stern (er, Stern) have great chemistry and a natural flare for comedic timing; meaning that the fast paced sketches and sharp, snappy punch lines are delivered with expertise.
Unlike other sketch acts that I have seen at the Fringe, these ladies don’t feel the need to use a plethora of accents to differentiate their characters. Each sketch is easily distinguishable and the duo switch between characters and their own personas with ease.
The show offers great staging and the use of voiceovers make transitions seamless. However, my only criticism is that there was an excessive amount of on and off stage between sketches. This resulted in the audience being plunged in and out of darkness, which is quite disorientating given the fast paced nature of the show.
All in all, Leads and Stern will provide you with enough sketches to leave you well and truely tickled and they’ll even throw in a narrative arc to boot.
Show Details: 5.00pm, Underbelly Cowgate. BOOK HERE.
Rating: 
Hannah, Uncanned Productions.
