Sketch comedy at the Fringe is always a hit or miss affair, especially in the first week before acts really hit their stride and finally decide what skits are in and out. As a result of this shows that have potential can find themselves floundering into obscurity simply due to a few first show kinks. Cambridge Medics have found themselves at this juncture and need to sharpen themselves up smartly to avoid disappointment.
The biggest problem that they have encountered so far is hidden behind the scenes, as their stage crew miss so many cues that they must have a twisted malevolence towards the company, as this level of incompetence is unfathomable. This state of affairs ultimately reflects badly on the players and ruins a number of great moments, themselves sporadic this early on in the run.
Despite a few really funny moments, most notably the Harry Potter and German Matrix parodies, Beyond All Reasonable Gout is currently running below par. However, with some judicious editing, a little more development and a slicker presentation it could raise itself above the dross in the coming weeks.
2/5
Richard Biggs
