Review by Steve Bennett

Man, these guys are good. The Pajama Men attract comedy awards like Sacha Baron Cohen attracts lawsuits, and it would be no surprise if this impressively creative show catapulted them on to a certain shortlist later this month.

American double-act Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez are masterful character comics, that’s a given, but what sets them apart in even that exclusive club is the dazzling speed of their transformation into any number of characters – male/female, black/white, straight/gay, human/ undefined tiny creature – in a whirlwind of manic energy. Think of Robin Williams or Jim Carrey’s ability to flip personas in a heartbeat, then add restraint and intelligent jokes to the mix.

These top-drawer skills are her used to cram a full cinematic story, with multiple threads and dramatic flashbacks, into 60 airtight minutes. Set on a luxury train where horror is about to be unleashed, the manifest includes musicians, meek middle-aged housewives on a rare excursion, a magician-cum –con-artist, a doddering ticket inspector, and countless more.

Performing in their titular nightwear, the Pajama Men draw the audience into this world so utterly that, for instance, a gruesome mime elicits genuine moans of disgust, entirely from the imagination. Disbelief is utterly suspended, and the mood further enhanced by a musician on stage, providing a classily emotive soundtrack to the unfolding events.

Yet there’s also room for some playful improvisation, as the duo play with their lines trying to make each other chuckle, usually with success, that adds a compelling lightness of touch to the show.

For all their obvious performance talents, there are some fine jokes in here too: knowing, intelligent quirky jokes that an offbeat stand-up such as Demetri Martin would be proud to have in their set, and always delivered with beautifully descriptive turn of phrase. They revel in the fact that some of the punchlines to take a beat or two to land, and rightly so – the gags are all the funnier for their subtlety.

There’s really something for everyone here – gags, whimsy, improv, character work – it’s as if the entire Fringe comedy programme has been compacted into one satisfyingly high-density show, guaranteed to bring a laugh to your lips.

Review date: 9 Aug 2009
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett