Foil, Arms and Hog: Loch'd @ Underbelly

Review by Ben Venables | 22 Aug 2014

Firstly, kudos to the Underbelly worker organising the queue. After shouting Foil, Arms and Hog in the wrong order for some time he took his mistake with such good humour that an incidental moment became a lovely memory to take from the Fringe. It set up a good atmosphere that continued throughout this Irish trio's performance of sketches interspersed with song.

This is not a show to go to alone with a pen and notepad, with brow furrowed for critical judgement, but one to enjoy with friends after a drink. While some of the characters veer toward stereotype  Irish drinkers, and a pop at theatre pretentiousness  this is, overall, mainstream entertainment that delivers a solid show to an appreciative audience. Their narcissistic love songs stem from an incredibly simple idea but it's very effective and funny.

While a criticism in the past has been that their sketches stretch too long, they now seem taut and, if anything, over-rehearsed. One sketch that stands out involves six lager cans, one of which has been vigorously shaken. As silly as this sounds the sketch is a model of good suspense writing.

A good night out.

Foil, Arms & Hog: Loch'd @ Underbelly, 1-24 August, 10pm, £11