Idiots of Ants 2008

Why Idiots of Ants have been put on in the ghastly Pleasance Beside (read: portakabin) is anyone's guess. For a start, there's the logistical problem. A four piece comedy ensemble, the Ants do well simply to avoid banging into each other on the tiny space that passes for the stage. Secondly, these boys are far more deserving of a better venue than this. One of last year's surprise success stories at the Fringe, the Ants' quickfire sketches would bring a tear to a glass eye. They will be packing out venues twice this size next year.

Not that these guys let the surroundings phase them: their show is a delight. Unusually for a comedy troupe, every member is of equal worth, and equally capable of generating laughs. Even more unusually, almost every sketch these lads' perform is worthy of at least a chuckle.

The key to Idiots of Ants' success is their pacing. The sketches come quick and fast and never last more than about three and a half minutes. There is no opportunity for the mind to wander, such is the range of the sketches performed; quiz show parody, “let's play Terrorist or Very Pissed!” and a simply fantastic skit imagining Del Boy Trotter's wake are just two of many highlights. Others work less well, but overall, Idiots of Ants 2008 is a joy to behold.