Alice and Andy are at an impasse. Low Effort Sketches are becoming more high-effort, Andy’s getting a bit excessive, and there might have to be some personnel changes…
It is, oddly enough, as described: a rapid series of sketches with zero frills, no costumes or set, interspersed with the growing feud between the duo. And it works really well in the equally no-frills surrounding of Just The Tonic Caves. My personal highlights included the council boss who’s a tad over-zealous about bench design, the unwritten rules of bus driving and the utterly shameless bulk joke section in an attempt to win Joke of the Fringe. (I think some of them were better than the eventual winner, for what it’s worth…)
Monday’s audience was mercifully up for some interaction; Pete in the front row was an utter star, and the quiz section was not only hilarious, but expanded a few people’s anatomical knowledge. The increasingly important Annabel the voiceover also brought some deadpan humour as everything starts to unravel in the Low Effort camp. Both Alice and Andy have likeable stage presences, and even the most groanworthy puns were well received. I enjoyed the callbacks to previous sketches, like the recurring spider extermination and an unexpected historical figure’s appearance…
Low Effort Sketches are a great offbeat hidden gem in the dank, dark Caves, and they’ll certainly brighten up a rainy Fringe evening.
****
Low Effort Sketches: As Described is at Just The Tonic at the Caves, 20-25 Aug