Review by Steve Bennett

At their inventive best, Mat and Mackinnon playfully subvert comedy conventions - though thankfully not the one that says it's all about getting laughs.

It's a shame it's not all that good, but even though this slick and ambitious show sometimes flags, it's almost always entertaining.

These are a couple who certainly know their stagecraft, and messing about with the expected structure is where most the laughs lie, thanks to a generous helping of clever and amusing gimmicks, including one particularly fine use of audience banter.

Their more traditional sketches, however, are really nothing special, and the running undercurrent of a not-so latent homosexual attraction isn't always as deftly handled as it might be, even if it does provide a peg for some of the more hilarious moments.

This promising show is certainly out of the ordinary, without being too weird, and hints that Mat and Mackinnon could be an act to watch.

It may take another Edinburgh or two to hone the material, but this pair certainly have the talent and imagination to really go somewhere.

Review date: 1 Aug 2001
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett