Show 14: Mix and Ivan: The Reunion

Narritive sketch comedians, Max and Ivan, were nominated for Best Show in 2013 with The Reunion. They brought it back to the Festival for a limited run and I thought I'd give them a go.

Bloody hell, it's a damn good show.

It's a show reminiscent of Pappy's "Last Show Ever" and Joseph Morpurgo's "Soothing Sounds for Baby", both of which were also narrative sketch shows. What ties them all together is innovative sketches; strong, well crafted, hilarious characters; engaging, heart-warming narratives and exceptional acting.

The show's about a high school reunion 10 years after the characters left. We meet Brian, sweet, kind and with the biological age of a 60 year old, riddled with every disease you can think of; his beautiful crush, Jessica; the former members of short-lived hip hop duo The Alchemists; the charismatic alan Jones who no-one remembers and now works as a gun polisher (ominous) alongside a whole cavalcade of other characters.

It's a show filled with silliness, a touch of improv and audience participation, a downright catchy short rap about alchemy (it's only got 4 lines but goddamit it sticks in your head), and a sweet ending that's inspired me to explore the works of Blur (it ends with a harmonic small choir rendition of Blur's Tender).

Few shows have had me thinking about them for days afterwards. This is one of them, and I'm very glad I watched it.

Score: 10/10

Venue: Pleasance Dome, Bristo Square

Dates: 10th-13th (not 9th)

Time: 20:20

Price: £10