Flhip Flhop: Everything Happens On The Break

You know when you come out of a show that it’s going to sell out fast. The house is packed, the audience is electrified, and you know that you want to see it again. Well that’s the way I felt after watching The Rannel Theatre Company’s amazing two-man production. You wouldn’t want to hire Joey D and Matt Bailey to decorate your apartment, especially if you have a priceless vinyl collection, and you care about getting the job done on time (or at all). They play two bored decorators who, in their lunchtime, strip away the monotony of their lives with an energetic routine that encompasses fast-paced comedy, witty dialogue, hip hop, MC-ing and beatbox. Oh, and there’s a great little story too, and a smashing ending - literally - that I shan’t give away. It’s rare to see a show that has practically everything to commend it, and nothing to criticise. I confess to being somewhat ignorant of the whole hip hop scene, but if it’s this much fun I’ve clearly been missing something. These two guys have perfected a routine that is quite simply one of the most dazzling entertainments on the fringe. Don’t think it’s all dance. It ain’t. It starts off wonderfully with some actual decorating where the theatre company name cleverly appears on the apartment wall. There’s a ghetto-blaster the size of a large suitcase that comes into service. An astonishingly fast routine using record covers that must have taken ages to rehearse, a love story, and more physical comedy than you can shake a stick at. By the end of it all, I felt quite exhausted, but these two performers gave me the impression they could go on for another hour. Come to think of it, guys, if you want to decorate my house, let me know. Just give me time to tie down the furniture. Anyone who comes out of Flhip Flhop not having enjoyed it should perhaps not be in Edinburgh. This is the kind of show you come to see, and the best thing I’ve seen all week. I already have another ticket.