Oyster Eyes Presents: Some Rice

• Murray Robertson
• 11 August 2012

This article is from 2012.

Confidently juvenile with some testing sketches

Oddball sketch quartet Oyster Eyes launch onto the stage with a ridiculous self-penned showtune, full of energy and interspersed with surreal stings, setting out their stall for this mixed but ultimately successful show. From the introduction we discover that two of the performers are pregnant (they’re not) and one is dying (he isn’t).

If you’re after a plot then that’s as far as it goes. From there the sketches veer wildly from German feminist comedians to an evangelical preacher picking on the audience, with nary a link between them. After a solid start some of the sketches noticeably lengthen. A sitcom starring a character who spouts ridiculous similes starts strongly, but without any progression it tests a flagging audience. Other skits are so brief they barely warrant inclusion.

As costume changes are conducted, each performer takes the stage for a solo routine and the results here vary considerably. Put them together, though, and their easy chemistry is infectious. The overall mood is confidently juvenile and they’re well versed at manipulating a game crowd.

Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, until 26 Aug, 10.25pm, £9--£10 (£8--£9).