A lively and funny hour’s worth of sketches delivered with skill and energy; some absurd, some mocking and all very silly. Rating
Excellent
From the start of Knocked Conscious, the team of four (Henrie Allen, Gayaneh Lara, Calum MacLean and Mungo Russell) set the scene for an hour of silliness, absurdity and general mocking of anything that takes their fancy.
This non-stop collection of sketches is a bit of a whirlwind of absurd scenarios that have no apparent connection other than general, slightly daft, fun. Having said that, there are a few running gags that give a seam of continuity, with the backstage conversations and Barber Shop Quartet springing to mind. In the latter, it is obvious what’s going to happen but still very funny when we get to the punchline. Subjects given the treatment are many and varied, including TV, interviews, and a crime scene. There are too many good bits to mention really but the lampooning of a famous soccer player is particularly amusing, as is the princess sketch – and who was to know what having a Tesco Clubcard entailed? I will have to sign up.
As with any comedy genre, the timing is absolutely essential, and I am pleased to report that here it is razor-sharp. There are a couple of sketches where any delay could be disastrous – although even if something had gone awry I am sure this team would have taken the opportunity to turn it around. They have an obvious chemistry which goes beyond the well-rehearsed gags.
With very little in the way of props (a few chairs, the odd sign) or costume, focus is firmly on the words and actions. By wearing just everyday semi-smart-casual-whatever clothes there is no indication of the location or time frame a joke is set until the dialogue starts. This is actually quite a good ploy as it keeps the audience on their toes, helps with a couple of the punchlines and saves a lot of faffing between scenes. Instead we are treated to snippets of appropriately themed music acting as a kind of modern equivalent of a ‘Boom, Boom!’ (Basil Brush fans will know what I mean).
Once warmed up, audience response was consistent, ranging from giggling to out-and-out belly laughs, with the odd grossed-out groan or smattering of applause thrown in. Some of the jokes did not quite land, especially at the start, but of course that could change with a different audience. Anyway, it was worth sitting through them for the majority that did land.
Knocked Conscious is an hour’s worth of short, sharp, funny skits performed with skill and energy. If one sketch does not make you laugh you know there will be another one along very soon that will. It should appeal to anyone that likes their comedy to highlight the irreverent silliness and absurdity of everyday life.
Written and performed by Henrie Allen, Gayaneh Lara, Calum MacLean and Mungo Russell
Knocked Conscious: A Sketch Comedy Show has completed its current run.
