By: Nicholls & Brown
Reviewer: Simon Topping
Rosie Nicholls and Sullivan Brown produce some divine chemistry and plenty of laughs in the premier of their latest show Grubby Little Mitts.
Decked in red, like the “White Stripes” of comedy, Nicholls and Sullivan start their set with a rollickingly fun dance to an uber-cool soundtrack. A chez lounge forms the centrepiece of their staging and is inventively used to block out scenes in a variety of ways.
The performance is billed as unsettling and edgy, which thankfully it isn’t. To the performers credit this is a warm comedy show, with some delightfully bonkers moments and a smattering of mildly grotesque and eminently watchable characters.
Brown plays a series of enigmatic, exasperated and indignant folk very well and Nicholls is a fabulous clown and equally charismatic; very watchable on stage. Together the performers have great chemistry and work well as a team to provide an enjoyable show, generating lots of laughter in the room.
Many of the sketches are well written and skilfully performed. Stand out silliness abounds in the repeating coffee sketch, hands-free dad, the police interrogation of fire and when examining the minutiae of life in close relationships. Some of the scenes are less strong and perhaps a little derivative of past duos such as Mitchell and Webb, but everything is performed well and very well received by the appreciative audience.
Nicholls & Brown also use music well in their set from the crazy dance scenes to the linking of sketches. Above all they win everyone over with their impish like behaviour.
Grubby Little Mitts is a well honed and very funny debut; well worth a watch.
Reviewed On 16th May. Runs to 22nd May.
