The Umbilical Brothers: Backstage Has Never Been Funnier
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014: Comedy Review
The Umbilical Brothers — Shane Dundas and David Collins — return to the Fringe after nine years with a brand new hour of physical comedy. Yes, they still have the ability to capture the audience’s hearts for an hour and never let it go.
No doubt drawing on their time hosting Nick, Jr.’s “The Upside Down Show”, the titular kids show is pitch-perfect with hyperactive hosts, repeating motifs and singalong moments. Of course it all goes wrong after a minute or so, as the hosts’ loathing of the show within the show becomes clear. A simple lighting switch takes the Fringe audience backstage as our hosts try to get the show back on the road.
From the straightforward issues of drugs and audience interaction, to a complicated rider from invisible yet trademarked characters and doors in the fourth wall; like a classic farce, the issues are going to pile up on them.
Just like that, ‘KiDSHoW’ draws in the conflict that any good story needs. It’s that confident storytelling instinct of The Umbilical Brothers that drives the hour forward. It would be easy to lift out sections of the show as individual sketches, and no doubt the cabaret and multi-billing variety shows around the Fringe will see some moments of the show. Placed in context though, the layers build up, tensions rise, and the show becomes far stronger because of this.
Dundas and Collins command the stage from the moment they step out on stage. The one hour stage time gives them room to draw everyone in, but they are meticulous about using every second of that time to put on the best show possible.
It starts strong and never lets you go.
* * * * * (5 stars)
The Umbilical Brothers — KiDSHoW
The Gilded Balloon, Aug 1-16th (not 12th), 1930-2030
Tickets available via EdFringe
Listen to Ewan Spence on the daily Edinburgh Fringe Podcast and Radio Show every day from Edinburgh during August 2014.
