Canal Cafe Theatre hit all the right notes in their all singing all dancing comedy sketch show Newsrevue. Playing to a packed audience, the group (Abigail Carter-Simpson, Elissa Churchill, Howard Grater and Sam Sheldon) have created an impressive arsenal of notable political figures that are torn to pieces with their snipping gags.
This show contains jokes prompting full bodied laughter from the audience, and jibes that are so below the belt they create a punching, audible gasp- it’s brilliant to watch. The show has a good rhythm thanks to accompaniment from musical director Tom Barnes.
Punchlines are delivered with ease and confidence, this is a very professional troupe who will understandably go far. Katie Pesskin has directed these skits with such precision that they’re perfectly succinct, it shows sketch comedy to be the art that it is.
There are however pitfalls to writing political comedy, especially when the UK’s current affairs landscape changes quicker than you can say ‘Edinburgh Festival Fringe’. The opening tune ‘Who Won the Vote’ to Beyonce’s Run The World feels a touch out of date but it is a risk worth taking as the delivery comes off excellently.
Definite highlights include the Arlene Foster/DUP spoofing of B*witched’s Cest La Vie, and a corker of a finale, parodying a medley of S-Club hits. I won’t divulge too many details, because this troupe are an unmissable slot in the line up at the Pleasance.
If you’re looking for good humour that isn’t afraid to make brave jokes, this show is for you. Unashamedly unPC, this troupe will have you in stitches gasping between the blackouts thinking ‘I cannot believe they just said that!’ 4/5
Review written by Niall Hunt.
Newsrevue is currently showing at the Pleasance Courtyard until Monday 28th August 2017 as part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. For more information on the production, visit here…
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