Max and Iván: Exposed

There’s nothing quite like a bit of gratuitous nudity on a flyer to get an audience through the door. Max, with the face for Channel 4, has an outty and a rather interesting birthmark; Iván, with the chest for Channel 5, has a beard and a slight, but not irreparable overhang. In their debut offering to the Fringe, the “Exposed” duo have come to conquer the world of serious, investigative (celebrity) journalism and wait with bated breath throughout their impressive set for the news wire that could change their lives forever.

Ladies will no doubt be disappointed that neither of the fine looking fellows get their togs off on stage. But the entertainment that is offered instead is certainly of very fine quality. The would-be anchormen join forces with characters, Los Guapos, the Argentinean folk musicians as well as a host of sponsors and well-wishers who bring us everything from melancholic ukulele to A Brief History of Time – On Ice.

OK, so the double-act hasn’t quite managed to sign up Stephen Hawking—they keep on getting his answer phone—but with a relentless pace and a seamless script, the tornado that these two compellingly genial comics create destroys any idea that sketch comedy cannot be presented in a coherent format.

However, slavish adherence to a rational storyline does, at times, come at the price of a few laughs, and although the audience couldn’t be willing the pair on more, some more inventive linking segments would certainly have made for a more comfortable hour.

But, as one half of the duo comments, “They’re at C Venues. They don’t have any expectations whatsoever.” And whilst if.comedy awards won't be winging their way in Max and Iván’s direction this year, as a pleasant distraction from the hawkers of the Royal Mile, this show is a definite success.