You really have to hand it to Neil and Christine Hamilton, from cash for questions through to rape allegations they have brilliantly managed to take their skeletons in their closet and turn them to their advantage. Somehow they have crept into the collected conscience of the British people and though no one would admit it, they are fondly regarded. Now fresh from conquering the jungle and home decorating with Colin and Justin they have now set their sights on The Edinburgh Fringe, and though the show shouldn’t work, it surprisingly does.
Using a chat show format, the Hamilton’s invite a host of comedians and performers onto their stage, and while drinking copious amounts of champagne, they chat. Perhaps it’s the free flowing alcohol but the Hamilton’s are very good performers and manage to have both the guests and the audience at ease almost instantly, be it by sharing charming stories or learning to bump and grind with a group of exotic dancers.
But whether a show like this succeeds or fails depends solely on its guests performers and from what one can tell, there is a strong line up. On the day I went, they had the brilliantly mischievous Lizzie Roper and a ‘magician’ under the name of White Night who actually turned out not to be a magician at all. Never one to be put off with a glaring error Christine Hamilton promptly saved the day by performing her own magic tricks for the audiences Benefit.
Great fun with lots of games and jokes I strongly suggest you indulge this guilty pleasure before we lose them to another reality television show.
4/5
Martin Miller
