Review by Helen Ackrill

Double acts are measured by first impressions as the audience likes to know the straight one from the funny one. Hurt and Anderson try their hand at playing both, with mixed reactions.

Some of the ideas put forward by the pair have been done before, but still work, like Anderson imitating Edith Piaf singing ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ when she clearly has a few regrets; a sales pitch for Race Of Crowns, which is eerily similar to Game of Thrones; and a sketch where Facebook and Twitter decide to be best friends. Their knowledge of social media jargon and pop culture is researched thoroughly and delivered well.

The chemistry between the pair is palpable and helps carry a show which is often, unfortunately, amateurish. The sound quality was poor and it was difficult to hear what had been recorded. The pair, in their haste to keep to time, stumbled over the order of their props and, occasionally, their microphone leads.

They were also overbearing in their set-ups: having the words ‘speed dating’ written on A4 paper and taped to the chairs they were using wasn’t necessary after a recorded gong sound, and the girls shouting ‘speed dating’. No doubt this was meant to be quirky, but it just came across as patronising.

That said, these short dating skits where they parody the participants in the style of Smith and Jones’s head-to-heads, was one of the best parts of the show. Both women have a good sense of comic timing and of the human character, and the pacing felt more controlled here than in the other sketches.

The audience reacted positively to the songs and it would be good to see more of these in future shows. Here, Hurt plays the role of the despondent, guitar-playing straightwoman to Anderson’s kooky, slightly unhinged singer – the only time they visibly relax into their roles.

Hopefully, Hurt and Anderson will find their stride: the enthusiasm and wit is there, it just needs polishing.

Review date: 11 Aug 2015
Reviewed by: Helen Ackrill
Reviewed at: Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom