Siblings @ Pleasance Courtyard
Siblings bring plenty of energy to their school-based sketch show, but the material is often found lacking
Siblage sees real-life sibling duo Marina and Maddy Bye take us to ‘Siblage High’, where we are introduced to a wide array of oddball characters in their school’s talent show: from a teenage duo sharing pearls of wisdom from a work experience placement, to a drama teacher with dizzyingly high aspirations for his big break.
Unfortunately, the show feels somewhat disjointed and the gags seldom reach beyond surface level laughs. The duo often seem to opt for loudness in substitute for wit, and while their high-energy delivery does effectively command engagement and attention, their comedic material wants for substance. While silliness and physical gags can be great comedic tools, here the punchlines feel more frentic than considered, with the jokes often simply boiling down to “look at this strange person doing this strange thing”.
Arguably the strongest point of the set is a sketch which sees two sex education teachers bizarrely re-enact Sex and the City in an attempt to convey sexual health information to their students. It’s one of the more creative parts of the show, and the interesting premise notably elicits the most laughs; even the silliest gags of this section have a bit more depth and humour to them.
Indeed, while there are moments like this throughout the set, they are few and far between. Absurdity and parody can make for genuine laughs, and the relatable, realistic setting of the school assembly is ripe for comedic potential. It is a shame then, that the substance of the material in Siblage fails to offer all that much new to the stage.
Siblings: Siblage, Pleasance Courtyard (Attic), until 29 Aug, 8.30pm, £9-11