THE UMBILICAL BROTHERS

"the audience is getting more than their money’s worth...you may not believe it, but see it, you must."

The Umbilical Brothers’ comedy show “Not Suitable for Children” has all my favourite warnings. I’m promised violence, sexual references, drug taking, and according to the promotional material, there will be face painting if time permits. I’m genuinely worried about what with.

David Collins and Shane Dundas as the Umbilical Brothers have won a lot of awards including two BAFTAs and an EMMY. For the comedy connoisseurs they’ve won the Edinburgh Critic’s Choice Award, so expectations are high as I enter the venue.

The billing that it’s a children’s show that kids are not allowed into has me pretty excited to be honest, anywhere I can go without my kids is a bonus, and getting to watch a show without them is truly a pleasure.

The show is everything promised on the tin and more, with the duo doing a whole lot of high octane performing, taking on different characters and scenarios. They give it 100% and you just know that they’ll find that extra 10% somewhere and use it at the exact right moment.

In comedy, a comedian’s material is known as gear, and these two have got all the gear.  They are just so funny, and are doing so much. They break the fourth wall like it’s nothing and the audience feels very much a part of the show. Their level of talent is ridiculous. Actually everything is ridiculous. You have to be incredibly clever to put together a show this silly. It’s surreal, and a trip, sometimes feeling very much as if we’ve all taken the dodgy tic tacs. It’s a case of holding on to your seat and going along for an incredible ride. 

Read the full story here.

- Andra Jenkin, Libel