It was a great premise for a show and the characters were distinct and well executed
An absolute highlight came in the form of children’s writer and illustrator Joy Hope, who was anything but joyful and certainly didn’t inspire any hope. Nonchalant and glaring, she introduced her new series of books, with such award-winning titles as Asbestos Squirrel and Why is Daddy Rabbit Leaving? It was laugh out loud but she didn’t even crack a smile and the morbidity didn’t end there.
Another great skit was Postlethwaite’s appearance as Kirsty Bird, the falconry expert. Smiling falsely while she was clearly dying on the inside, she told of her loneliness up on the moors and her paranoia about the birds being out to get her. The sheer randomness of her remarks got wails of laughter from a very satisfied audience.
The show was incredibly dark at times; a danced tribute at a funeral and poor old Kenneth the dog, to give just two examples. Yet, it was performed in such a way that you couldn’t help but laugh, much akin to giggling in church or a school assembly, you know you shouldn’t but you just can’t help it.
The only part that really let the act down was her portrayal of Stella Nova, NASA’s first Northern astronaut. It had all of the ingredients to be a good section but the jokes didn’t quite live up to expectation. A shame, but only a momentary lapse in an otherwise faultless comedy performance.
It was a great premise for a show and the characters were distinct and well executed. Jane has a clear talent for comedy writing and her ability to deliver jokes in a range of different personas really made this show unique. From sniggering to full blown, laugh out loud hilarity, I would challenge anyone not to find this show funny.
