Croft & Pearce: Double Take

• Brian Donaldson
• 13 August 2018

credit: Steve Ullathorne

Pedestrian and predictable fare from talented sketch duo

Does it get any more Radio 4 than this? That, sadly, isn't intended as a compliment, for this double-act sketch show fails to hit any sort of heights within its lengthy hour. Hannah Croft and Fiona Pearce have worked together for so long now that they instinctively know what makes each other tick, and while their onstage chemistry is enjoyable enough to watch, the writing that should bolster the performances is patchy in the extreme.

The settings here are the likes of wine cellars and village halls, with key concerns including having the right oranges to make decent marmalade. None of which would be a problem if the punchlines were devastating, but they rarely come close to it.

And talking of fruit, when you hear the word 'plums' mentioned during a set-up, you just know that it's about to be used in a naughty context.

There's a welcome change of pace when an inappropriate Brown Owl raps her way onto centre stage, but soon enough we're back to the pedestrian likes of a stress workshop which disintegrates into a family schism.

Underbelly Bristo Square, until 26 Aug, 2pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10).