home
|
about
|
news
|
contents
|
gossip
|
photographs
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
no more drinks
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Gavin & Gavin
in
Our Funny Bones
Verdict: Tightly-scripted sister comedy
London - Pleasance - July 04
Twin sisters Lauretta & Sharon Gavin suggest what it's like being part of a sister-comedy-duo by revealing a day in their lives (writes Ella Lockwood).
This lets them retain a high level of self-awareness during sketches. They can break off from characters and address the audience, or fall into giggles when they sidetrack from the script.
This can be very engaging and gives the show a relaxed atmosphere. There's an opportunity to get to know them. Sharon Gavin is the younger, feisty one; Lauretta Gavin is the
graceful and (slightly) taller sister. Lauretta can sometimes drift
into the dreamy world of La-La Land and has to be slapped out of it by
Sharon.
Their self-effacing manner is appealing: they're 'only temping until the comedy thing takes off'; their only stalker has selected them because unknowns are easier to pursue than the famous. This female prowler started on Westlife, but didn't like the competition. Now she has coincided her menstrual cycle with theirs and travels on the same train with them to Edinburgh.
Sharon and Lauretta contrast their relaxed charm with the Manchester-based comedy duo White Lighting. Originally Redcoats at Bolton's Butlins, Bobbie & Josie christened the act after their favourite tipple - with all its subtlety and sophistication.
Bobbie & Josie recall how they've dealt with racial equality, reassuring a black member of the audience that they 'would take the piss but they can't see her'. They claim they've been
unfairly criticised for their treatment of minorities - 'there's one rule for Ricky Gervais and one for White Lighting'.
The Gavins's own competitive relationship is contrasted with the South-East
Londoners, Lil & Toni. While bemoaning the abusive men in their lives,
they battle with one another as to who has suffered the most at their hands. Lil's husband has been drunk; Toni's man has been a drug addict. Lil's has been restrained with a court order; Toni's been given several. Lil's has pulled her hair; Toni's bloke has burnt hers.
Gavin & Gavin are at their best when recounting anecdotes that uncover more about their relationship. They come from a large Irish family, but are
keen to point out that they're 'not tinkers'. Their mother and father have attended the show and have described it as 'awful fast and awful hot. We
didn't know where to laugh or where to clap'.
The Gavins's appealing diffidence encourages generosity when some sketches
are not as successful as others. Characters such as Mimi The Comedy Agent and Linda The Paranoid Landlady are not given enough detail or time to grasp the imagination.
The mockumentary structure - Lauretta Gavin's voice-overs of where the action is within their day - can disrupt the rhythm of the show. It's a hackneyed device, and feels old-fashioned. It's a pity, because the sisters are so very likeable, and their familiarity is uninhibited.
In fact, it's only clear how tightly scripted the material is when they show out-takes at the end; when they perform the Lil & Toni sketch at break-neck speed with identical dialogue. A performance that has appeared haphazard, and to a great extent improvised, is revealed as a prepared and deliberate show.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Written & performed by Lauretta & Sharon Gavin
Company Credits: Technical Operation - Venue Staff. Agent: PFD - Maureen Vincent, Hannah Begbie.
END
(c) Ella Lockwood - 2004
reviewed Wednesday 21 July 2004 / The
Pleasance, London
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
