Lead Pencil are a brand new comedy group delivering ‘observational sketches with a colourful twist’. Performing as part of the Free Fringe, this is their Edinburgh debut, though you wouldn’t know it from the performance. There is confidence and charisma here in abundance and any slight hiccups in the flow or delivery of the show are rescued quickly and professionally with a slight, knowing smile that lets the audience know none of them are taking the whole thing too seriously.
The group, consisting of Maddie Rice, Greg Simpson and Louise Beresford, launch into the show with real enthusiasm, immediately winning everyone over with quick-fire gags and deliberately ridiculous, cardboard cutout props. There are some great moments; a song about how people survived before smartphones balances good-natured humour with sharply observed comedy nuggets and also presents to the audience a tongue-in-cheek question that nevertheless rings entirely true: how on earth did we get by with just Nokia 3310’s? Meanwhile some cleverly constructed digs at familiar Bible stories give an admittedly well-worn subject matter a much-needed makeover.
No doubt some will feel that a few of the gags lack originality or edge, but as a whole this is hugely enjoyable stuff: breezy, light-hearted entertainment lovingly crafted by three genuinely funny young performers. Besides, to see some comedy that doesn’t rely on over-used shock-tactics or wallow in the gutter for the sake of it is actually rather refreshing. Lead Pencil is well made, finely tuned comedy that makes the whole thing seem completely effortless. Easy to watch and incredibly hard to hate, it’s on from the 13th to the 25th of August, so make sure to pencil it into your diary.
