Amidst all the accolades attributed to traditional stand up comedy at this year’s Fringe, I was thrilled to stumble across my messiest and craziest show of the fest. Two hilarious women who are not frightened to freak out their audience with water, marshmallows, make-up, beer, babywipes and more. Brilliant fast paced sketch comedy with excellent link banter between the scenes that defines their comedy partnership.
Róisín and Chiara describe themselves as a ‘slightly twisted blend of The Mighty Boosh, House of Pain and James Joyce’. This implies a low-impact, high-brow experience when in reality any pretensions are best left as you enter the Botego, the subterranean venue that provides a dungeon-like background to their comic odyssey. Indeed, the faint hearted may indeed wish to escape.
Reminiscent of our past Funny Women Award winners, Twisted Loaf, Róisín and Chiara do gently assault their audience with invisible peanuts on heads, drinking their beer, playing loud guitar and drums live and sitting on laps. They do, however, choose their playmates in their comedy game very carefully and everybody enjoys the ride.
So rarely do I see female acts that are uninhibited enough and possess the sense of ridiculousness needed to deliver a show of this kind. This act leaves no room for you to wonder why you’re in the room with them and, if you do catch the demonic eye of either Róisín or Chiara, I would recommend that you strap in and enjoy the ride. It’s only comedy after all!
★★★★★
Róisín and Chiara: Back to Back is at Heroes @ Botega – Basement 14:40 until 26th August. For tickets and more information click here!
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