'Strong and Wrong - like an iron condom'. Dan Carter-Hope and Anna Maria Nabirye have a surprisingly catchy theme song. This comedy sketch show touches on everything from racism and the BNP (British National Party) to plastic surgery. Although a little hit and miss, with a range of subjects taken from popular culture and twisted just enough to point out the absurdity of the commonplace, and with the average sketch taking about two minutes, it is easy to forget the misses, move on and enjoy the hits.

A few gems in particular stand out: Anna Maria Nabirye is brilliant as a 'theatrical deviser' using a grant to 'react emotionally to charged situations'. These situations include a tragic traffic accident and hostage negotiation - her reactions are inspired: 'All the hostages were killed but we made some really powerful theatre.' Dan Carter-Hope is equally engaging, and at his best as Mexican robot 'i-Mariachi'. Uploading a song on i-Mariachi, he converts the music into a Spanish serenade. The not-so-shocking result of this experiment is that Britney Spears does indeed sound better in Spanish - especially if the lyrics aren't understood.

The comedy is based on witty wordplay, fast-paced and just lewd enough. Dan Carter-Hope's romantic ballad for his girlfriend which culminates in the lovely sentiment 'When people meet you for the first time they expect you to bark' is one of many vicious one-liners. The performers are particularly good at taking the ordinary and making it ridiculous, so a club lavatory attendant is given the great line 'and then she walked out of my toilet forever'. Singer-songwriter Dolores Fontaine from New Orleans sings for the condom because 'we all feel used once in a while'.

The live and recorded original music is worth pointing out, whether the sound of slaps and punches bringing a fight to life, the scraping of a robot, or the beat for one of their many songs. It brings the show to life, and gives it that extra spark. While the performers are genuinely entertaining and establish a warm atmosphere from the get-go, their work could do with some more time in development. Although thoroughly enjoyable at just an hour, any longer would have been difficult. Just what the doctor ordered for a chuckle and a drink with friends, but not quite unmissable comedy as of yet. But 'Strong and Wrong – like French kissing your best mate's mom.' Undeniably catchy.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Dan Carter-Hope. Anna Maria Nabirye.

Company Credits: Writers - Dan Carter-Hope & Anna Maria Nabirye. Director - Lynne Parker. Lighting Designer - uncredited. Sound Designer - uncredited. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - Strong And Wrong.

END

(c) Chloe Preece 2009

reviewed Tuesday, 21 July 2009 / The Wheatsheaf Pub

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com