The Smirking Sequin

30 March, 2009
by: Katuschka

With its red curtains and neon stage lighting, the Smirking Sequin at The Phoenix is reminiscent of comedy clubs in their 80s heyday. However, the line-up of both young and established comedians and en-vogue burlesque acts means this night is on the comedic ball and attracts a smart crowd.

The compere for the evening is Ross Ashcroft who initially misses some golden comedy opportunities when it is revealed that Israeli strippers and investment bankers are in the audience. However a piece on middle-class ladies feeding rocket to their Labradors and the downfall of being a Liverpudlian with a London accent bring him back up to speed before the first act Matt Kirshen arrives. Soon he is asking the Israeli stripper if she is 'off conquering' when she sneaks out to the toilet. Kirshen, who is short and child-like does an incongruently dirty routine with nightmare tales about letting the radio choose your setlist during sex before finishing with a rant about the tribulations of eating kosher.

Comedy burlesque act Kitten Von Strumpet, potentially the weakest act for comedy, brings some variety and titillation to the evening with two burlesque performances and physical comedy of the Benny Hill school. One performance is set on a sixties space ship with some fab Go-Go dancing and in a second, her 'aunt' wins first prize in a gardening competition for – wait for it – her bush. You can probably work out where it went from there. Eighteen-year-old newcomer Ahir Shah gets lots of head-tilting 'awws' on arrival to the stage, but soon proves himself to be a typically filthy schoolboy with the added charm of sophisticated and eloquent political views. Comparing the world banking system to the Titanic, inventing an Alistair Darling/Gordon Brown film romance and describing The Sun’s take on the radioactive paedophile is ideal fodder for an energetic routine.

Rapping comedian Doc Brown has some surprisingly authentic comedy raps about his hedonistic teenage years and STDs, which neatly lead into a cute routine about having to accommodate his and his daughter’s imaginary friends. Then the evening comes to a close as Luke Toulson begins a subtly offensive yet hilarious routine which ends with him sitting in audience members' laps and ranting about dyslexia.

Altogether the Smirking Sequin offers a well-balanced and fast-paced variety act, with a refreshing mix of physical, stand-up and musical comedy and some very enthusiastic newcomers. With seven acts onstage it's also a credit-crunch friendly evening, so even if some acts don't appeal, you'll still be entertained.

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