Edinburgh Review: Two Episodes of MASH - A Sketch Show by These Two People

Edinburgh Review: Two Episodes of MASH - A Sketch Show by These Two People

25 August, 2010
by: Emma

Emma McAlpine finds the sketch duo much improved.

Two Episodes of MASH have come on leaps and bounds since I first saw them perform in London several years ago. While they were refreshingly downbeat, they also came across as nonchalant and sloppy. For every inventive, stand-out sketch followed three lacklustre ones with endings that, instead of having punchlines, just trailed off, as if they weren’t sure about how to finish them, or even that  bothered. It is a completely different MASH on stage today with their unique charm intact and an added slickness and consistency that surely makes them one of the top sketch punts of the Fringe.

Right from the off, their approach is a lot more confident as Joe Wilkinson strides on stage and dishes out hugs for the front row, followed by the more composed half of the duo, Diane Morgan. Their sketches are short and snappy, with barely a dud in sight. Ranging from abstract whimsy to awkward everyday situations, there are modern twists on fairy tales and myths, parodies of TV shows, literal idioms and an argument before the end of the world.

The two complement each other beautifully, with Morgan playing the straight man to Wilkinson’s socially awkward buffoon. Their reserved approach, letting the comedy speak for itself, is a welcome antidote to the bluster and hype of a lot of other sketch acts on the circuit. Often though, the set-up is funnier than the punchline. Take the skit where Morgan is unpacking her shopping while trying to tell Wilkinson about her problems. It is his nervous look of anticipation about what’s in the bag while she drones on monotonously, that makes the sketch so comic - rather than his closing remark.

With Midas touch director Stefan Golaszewski guiding them this year, MASH have undoubtedly transformed into a commendable sketch act. The show seems more professional, with clearly defined endings, fade-outs, music, stylish outfits and a subtle backdrop of floating hammers and hats. Even the pair themselves seem to have more polish and assertion in their performance. And evidently, they’re not just a funny face. A brilliant Rod Stewart callback scene and a game of 'I Spy' that subverts our expectations, shows some sharp writing skills behind the clowning.

All in all - a lovely slice of absurdity to finish the Fringe on.

Two Episode of MASH: A Sketch Show by These People will be at the Pleasance Dome until the 29th August at 4:20pm

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Emma