This sketch show from trio Harbingers contains some real gems, and showcases their potential as writers and performers. There's a good range of crowd-pleasing sketches. Perhaps the highlight is a disgruntled customer returning a wardrobe to a shop because he has found Narnia hidden in the back. The harassed shop-owner also suffers a Borrowers infestation, and there's a bizarrely fantastic appearance by Tommy Holgate as Mr Tumnus. It proves what the Harbingers can clearly do: sharp one-liners which hit the target, some theatrical inventiveness, and a surreal yet accessible world view.

There are some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, but although each sketch is full of promise, the writers seem not quite sure how to fulfil that potential. A blackout signals the end of a sketch rather than a pay-off punchline suggesting that they are not sure how to end it properly. Sharp writing is sometimes hidden amongst weaker gags and unnecessary padding - ruthless editing is needed. The gags are there but they don't come fast enough.

Their sketches usually rely on an outsider trying to ingratiate himself on the other two - the joke being, the harder he tries, the more he alienates himself. Across a range of sketches they take it in turns playing the outsider. This creates uniformity and a sense of a theme across the show, but it also evokes a feeling of repetition and predictability. Tone, pace and characterisation vary little between the sketches. Part of the charm of Harbingers is their laid-back manner, but this comes close to creating a monotonous rhythm which fails to grip attention.

There is a clear rapport between the three performers - and a striking contrast in their appearance, though this is not fully exploited. Vincent Vivash acts a geeky energetic quality, Winston Smith a cool charming skater-boy in a grown-up body, and Tommy Holgate's calm stage demeanour is a magnificent contrast to his wild mop of curly hair. The Harbingers brim with ideas, potential and creativity, and come across as likeable, talented performers. At the moment they are a work in progress, but an impressive one.

Cast Credits: (performers, alpha order): Tommy Holgate. Winston Smith. Vincent Vivash.

Company Credits: Writers (alpha order) - Tommy Holgate, Winston Smith, Vincent Vivash. Director - uncredited. Lighting Designer - uncredited. Sound Designer - uncredited. Technical Operator - Robin Buckland. Producer - uncredited. Company - uncredited. Upstairs At Three And Ten: Artistic Directors - Nicola Haydn and Eden Rivers

END

(c) Phil Dukes 2009

reviewed Saturday 23 May 2009 / Upstairs at Three and Ten, Brighton UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com