Man Vs Woman

Review by Collette Cullen | 04 Apr 2012

This high velocity sketch show centres on the discrepancies between -you've guessed it- the sexes, and provides a freshness often lacking from traditional comedic fare. While the young performers are not above the odd fumble and the scripting occasionally lacks a final cogent punch line, there is a charming creativity present which renders this almost insignificant.

The modest crowd at  Vespbar, are treated to a diverse mix of skits ranging from the trials of a Gary Glitter lookalike to the poignant relationship between Batman and Robin. The crescendo of the night is a send-up of Scotland's much-loved crime series, Taggart, which is given an extreme makeover involving a sock puppet with a downtown New York accent.

Unfortunately warm-up act, Rob Kane is not at his sparkling best. He seems to out-pace himself and some gags fall a little flat but there is some nice banter with the audience. The setting is also a bit of a letdown. While having a bar nearby is handy, the bizarre and noisy use of the glass-wash during proceedings is distracting in such a small space and unfair on the actors.

Glasgow-based screenwriter Raymond Friel is best known for his contributions to The Calcium Kid (2004) and Botched (2007) but here he tries his hand at something different, and it works. You certainly wouldn't guess this was the casts' first performance together.

Vespbar, March 30 as part of the Glasgow Comedy Festival