***

Geraldine Coyne and Maria Hodson, who together form the Aspidistras, are highly talented performers. They can sing humorous comedy songs as a duet and act out very funny character based monologues. Their costume design has been carefully though out and is effective.

However, there are several missing ingredients as a live double act. Of the dozen or so items in their set, only two, apart from the songs, featured them really performing together. They also didn’t work the audience – no banter or participation. 

On the positive side, the send up routines of Dan Brown and Tim Burton plus the dark portrayal of a crazy librarian were skilfully executed. Of the two sketches when they do work together, a holly and ivy sketch is particularly funny. On the other hand, taking the performance as a whole it had the stiff feeling of a TV sketch show – finish one and cut to another.

To me, The Aspidistras have yet to find a comedy identity as a double act. There were glimpses that the ability is present. The contrast between sinister/innocent, funny/straight could be the direction to take for their comedy to move on to the next level.

The Aspidistras

Company: - The Aspidistras

Venue: -  Jussst The Tonic Caves II  V 88

Dates: - 6 to 30 August 2009 (not 18) 

Times: - 19.00 to 20.00

Fringe Programme Page: - p25   (C22)