Harriet Kemsley and Sarah Callaghan may be just starting out, but at least they have each other. In a sweet and well-paced double bill, Kemsley’s shy, fearful-yet-unabashed character pairs well with Callaghan’s tough-girl attitude and the strength of the show comes from their alchemy as a duo.
As individuals, Kemsley and Callaghan each deliver straightforward monologues. Kemsley’s observational jokes are timed well, while Callaghan’s mild rants are intelligent if sped through a little too quickly. While neither ventures into new territory either with content or style, they both project a quiet confidence that belies their scant years and puts the audience at ease. Still, their reliance on jokes asks for a lot in their writing and in this arena neither has much to go on yet.
What does feel exciting about their show is the obvious potential for their characters – Kemsley’s bumbling and open-hearted fool, next to Callaghan’s anger-prone-yet-ineffective authority – to clash, cajole and create together. The Laurel and Hardy-style of high-status/low-status clowns feels fresh on a pair of young women and I hope they continue to support and challenge each other to reach higher and farther both in their individual routines and in their careers together.
