Review by Marissa Burgess

There were so many people clamouring to see Delete The Banjax’s Free Fringe show on the day Chortle popped by that some had to be turned away at the door, and what a show they missed.

So here we were, gathered in a tiny room every inch covered in chairs with the bare minimum of space left to perform in. Not that it proved a problem for the performers, three fellas and one lady, who bobbed back and forth from the back of the room to unveil a show that demonstrated a daft sense of humour beneath which lay some inventive ideas and cleverly written skits.

Kicking off with the first running gag of Delete The Banjax Top Trumps revealing the cast’s unexpected appendages (extra vagina anyone?) and predilections. Hinting at the playful silliness to come, in the second sketch war is reduced to a petty grudge match.

The sketches slot together ideas, criss-crossing each other - a quiz show parody includes a predatory nerd, some embarrassing diary extracts and a Chris Tarrant impersonation. The simplicity of the low-budget props adds to the silliness - a dodgy wig pulled back into a ponytail and a pair of cardboard hooves suffice for a horse.

Along the way there are a couple of familiar comedic gripes: a song about what a bastard it is having to go to Ikea and how difficult it is to put the flat packs together is a oft-heard moan but is executed in such a charming and witty manner, they’re forgiven. A final song begins teetering dangerously on the brink of breaking into Flight Of The Conchords’ Most Beautiful Girl but changes tack just in the nick of time.

Word is clearly getting around about Delete The Banjax , so get along and see them now - though they’re in danger of running out of air in that tiny back room.

Review date: 19 Aug 2009
Reviewed by: Marissa Burgess