EDINBURGH 2014 - BWW REVIEWS: UMBILICAL BROTHERS: KIDSHOW (NOT FOR KIDS), Gilded Balloon, August 3 2014
Kids' TV presenters Dane and Shavid are just having a little technical problem, and it's totally not your fault kids. Actually, those audience members don't look too much like kids....
That's probably for the best as we descend into the murky yet hilarious world of dodgy dock-side dealers of performance art, a reversed bad language filter and an 18-rated, gore-filled version of The Brady Bunch in the comic duo's quest to get through their kids' show in one piece and entertain their older than expected live audience.
KiDSHoW is quintessential Umbilical Brothers, with the two comedians offering phenomenally slick performances that meld together physical comedy, mime and sound effects with impeccable timing, aided by perfectly cued technical effects. While this show has something of a coherent narrative in the form of children's entertainment going wrong for its dodgy presenters, it still retains the highly surreal tone characteristic of their work. Indeed, the Umbies don't just knock on the fourth wall but quite literally find a door and step through it, as well as offering up the best invisible fight scene you will see on the Fringe this year.
With plenty to draw in new fans as well as nods to the continuity of their previous shows, so long as you don't mind your memories of the likes of Play School being forever tarnished, KiDSHoW is occasionally dark, frequently hilarious and always skilfully performed.
Umbilical Brothers: KiDSHoW (not for kids) is at the Gilded Balloon until August 16th (not 12th) at 7.30pm.
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