Likely the most enjoyable corporate seminar you’ll see at the Fringe, Jack and Nikki: Killing Machines is warm and entertaining from the start. Their presentation attempts to encourage investments into their contract killing business through a series of heartfelt pitches, promotional videos and a lot of graphs. They even have their own jingle.
Jack Heal and Nikki Blemings are an engaging and hugely likeable double act who work well together to create a very inviting atmosphere in the room. The pace is fast and energetic from the word go. There are a couple of instances where one or the other looks like they are trying to remember their lines whilst the other is speaking and the momentum is lost but as it’s only the first day of the run they can probably be forgiven.
One element that falls a little flat is what might be an attempt at a touching storyline, although it’s hard to say if that’s really what the writers were going for. There’s a little subtext woven in early on that hints at the strains in their relationship - whatever that may be - but the climax of this narrative feels rushed and a bit forced.
However that hardly matters in an original show that’s packed with clever jokes and great ideas presented by a pair anyone would love to be friends with. If someone gets in your way of seeing this show, you might want to think about calling on their services. The show may not be worth killing for, but Jack and Nikki can take care of that for you anyway.
