Jackman and Bones @ Just the Tonic, The Caves

Gone are the days of sketch-blackout-sketch as the height of comic sophistication. Sadly, Jackman and Bones don’t seem aware of the need for more distinctive, narrative-based or high energy sketch groups that are currently paving the way.

The sketches comprise mostly of odd characters in odd situations with plenty of back-and-forth. The stilted scenes lack dynamism from both script and performer, taking dramatic lurches in sketch quality. The rambling start to the show does little to instil confidence in the upcoming hour, instead giving a semblance of the performers’ identities and some weak jokes about Wales and Kent.

There’s a minimal gag-to-sketch ratio across the hour, with the sketches being perfunctory frameworks for a few jokes here and there. There is certainly potential in some of them, but it all needs a huge shot of adrenaline and much tighter editing.

Jackman and Bones are clearly young and cutting their teeth, but this debut hour feels somewhat premature. It is notoriously difficult to workshop sketch comedy on the live circuit, but maybe these two should start.

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Jackman and Bones, Just the Tonic @ The Caves (Just the Wee One), until 18 Aug, 6.50pm, £5/PWYW