Making a return to the Rotunda, Hill and Jones are a cheeky double act who certainly know how to make me chortle. Having dreamt about the show the night before, I was excited to see what this comedy duo had in store for this year’s Brighton Fringe. In reality, it was very similar to last year’s performance, but a little slicker, and still as funny.
Consisting of “straight guy” Ryan Hill who keeps stoically deadpan throughout, as camp Ben really embraces the com in sit-com with lots of dressing up and innuendo, the show progresses at a whirlwind pace with plenty of puns, celebrity impressions and impressive comic timing.
Clearly a team, the chemistry between the two is sizzling and from the moment they bounded on stage, I was mesmerised by the barrage of gags, quick-fire characters and increasingly ridiculous and sometimes saucy scenarios – which probably aren’t the most child-friendly as I heard the dad behind me ask his two kids if they’d had sex ed classes yet!
The sketches might lean more to the Benny Hill end of the spectrum with provocative one liners – as seen in a very funny confectionary shop skit; but the boys know how to keep the audience engaged, and when they do need a break, they have cleverly factored in some pre-recorded filming which is shown on the stage’s backdrop.
This includes their interviews with a “smattering of global superstars”, Tom Cruise, Sylvester Stallone and Robert Downey Jnr, who may seem a little passe (but would more current stars work?!) but their fan boy (Ryan) and cheeky chappy (Ben) approach to questions, makes this a guffaw-inducing interlude.
Although my favourite part of the show is the dance finale. It’s dad dancing, with added sass! Ryan takes centre stage and really gets his sweat on whilst pulling hilarious facial expressions as he mimes the lyrics to a montage of songs. Even when Ben does his best to distract him in his own version of outfits, so he can get involved. I was in stitches. Again!
In short, Comedy Catastrophe is exactly the kind of adolescent chaos and puns that make the Brighton Fringe such a treat – banter, dressing up, dressing down and those branded Hill And Jones Speedos which will no doubt be a sell-out if they ever go into production. Maybe a bit of audience participation next year, chaps?
Find out more about Hill and Jones online.
