Review by Steve Bennett

Toby is more complex than your average comedy double act; so while the laughs are less frequent, the rich characterisation, Pinteresque pauses and tense sibling rivalry between Sarah and Lizzie Daykin make for a more rewarding emotional ride through strained family relationships.

Sarah is the problem child; the psychological train-wreck with an addiction to Pontefract cakes and an insatiable need for attention. Naturally enough, she wants – no, HAS – to be an entertainer, even though her selfish actions are a burden on the rest of her long-suffering family, most of all mild-mannered Lizzie, who has sacrificed so much for her ungrateful, bullying sister, yet carries her burden stoically.

That’s not the sort of back story you get with the Chuckle Brothers.

The awkward interplay between the real-life siblings is the defining characteristic here. Though they perform their sketches and songs, often inspired by other family members, a huge shadow of animosity falls across everything.

Even the sketches are heavy with sadness – the arguing couple locked in an attritional, hateful, marriage or the pensioner whose love of her cat tips over into appalling abuse – meaning there’s a darkness to everything they do.

But there are jokes, and obviously funny moments, too; everyone will surely be playing the gloriously offensive animal insult game before too long; while some of the blunt exchanges generate laughs of shock. Largely, though, it’s the sort of show that keeps generating little pockets of chuckles, as something inappropriate tickles a few audience members at a time.

The Daykins are appealing actors, this dysfunctional relationship feels all-too real (helped by some video inserts from their parents) and there’s an elegance to their disturbed performances that shows a maturity beyond their years.

Sarah is a delicious comic monster, Lizzie, a great put-upon straightwoman, and has a real story that unfolds uncomfortably, explosively and occasionally hilariously over this distinctive and classy hour.

Review date: 10 Aug 2011
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett