Late Night Gimp Fight

It begins in Kubrick fashion, with a giant gimp face in space accompanied by Strauss’ celebrated Also Sprach Zarathustra, implying the stratospheric status the gimps have achieved over the last few sell-out years at the Fringe. They even cheekily quote some of the negative reviews they’ve received. I hoped I could finally write something positive.

The four gimps promise to ‘leave you sore’ with a show of ‘sketch perfection’ that will induce a ‘comedy erection’. Sadly, this was not the reality of Late Night Gimp Fight.

It’s set up like a TV show, with a large projection screen as a backdrop and two smaller TV screens either side. One sketch, that sees two of the gimps dancing with their shadows, makes clever use of the screens, the action timed to perfection. The sketches are fast-paced, the songs are hilariously performed and the production values are high.

Yet the jokes don’t live up to the reputation. This is toilet based humour and although there’s certainly great potential for silliness, it’s not clever in any way. The subjects parodied are unoriginal and the same jokes are repeated. Once you’ve seen one film clip or pop video with ‘late night gimp fight’ shoehorned in, you know straight away what’s coming. Often the sketches build towards a final punch line that’s simply not as funny as you imagined it at the start, when you easily predicted the outcome. They even acknowledge this by performing jokes with an ‘inevitably weaker punch line’ – surely a quote that applies to the show at large. The biggest laughs come from some cheap use of nudity and a certain scene that doesn’t even include the gimps at all.

Late Night Gimp Fight is ultimately a facile show filled with teenage jokes and sickening, awkward moments that will have you laughing only intermittently. If you’re looking for some intelligent wit you won’t find it here, but if you’re in need of some ridiculous antics typical of late night Channel Four then look no further. In fact, this would make a great drinking game…

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
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Performances

The Blurb

The country's most exciting sketch group’s back with their biggest, boldest and best show yet. 'A gloriously funny spunkstorm of bad taste' ***** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Quite brilliant' (Times). Edinburgh Comedy Awards nominees. Total sell-out 2010, 2011. www.latenightgimpfight.com.

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