one4review | On 10, Aug 2024

The Umbilical Brothers are Fringe veterans and rightly described in their press as “an international comedy phenomenon”. The two combine mime, physical theatre, clowning and sound effects to create a wide range of silly but clever sketches, usually playing with whatever format they’re using. I first became aware of them through clips online playing with forced perspectives and fixed cameras. They continue to innovate their own special brand of comedy today. And now they’ve got greenscreens.

The greenscreens (and a number of presumably very expensive cameras) are used by David Collins and Shane Dundas (and their tech wizard) to project their antics up onto a big screen in the middle of the stage as they are seamlessly blended into a variety of fun and imaginative locations from a space station to a baby’s crib. There’s a plotline…of a sort, but mostly the show is a connection of imaginative and impressive sketches, really putting the green screens through their paces as the actors jump from bit to bit. Of particular note was a section where mouths were projected onto live footage of the audience for a gag a bit reminiscent of Nina Conti’s excellent ventriloquism act.

The duo’s specific brand of humour is perhaps not entirely for everyone. It’s silly and could even be viewed as a bit dated by some, though to my mind it’s a style rather in vogue and almost TikTok-esque, especially with the digital enhancements. Some moments were wonderfully put together and the live editing and special effects were unlike any I’d seen before, but some of the improv moments stood out a bit for how unpolished they were in comparison.

The pair are, by all appearances, a class act and the fact that they are still performing – and innovating – to the degree they are, even after an already impressive career is a testament to their abilities.

****
Reviewed by Tom
Assembly Roxy – Central
18.35 (1hr)
Until 25th Aug (not 13 or 21)