There has always been a fascination in the double-act. From Laurel and Hardy and French and Saunders to Kermit and Miss Piggy - the latter pair being uncannily alike to Neil and Christine Hamilton who host this show from a simple, camp, informal set as they sip champagne. Each day sees different invited guests from the fringe who get to showcase and plug their own show. Christine was keen that the audience clearly heard her disclaimer 'This is not about us - it's about our guests'.
The first guests were a hip hop dance trio from Zoonation - a company set up five years ago who have already built up an impressive CV which includes Graham Norton's 'When will I be Famous'. This year they are doing a production at the Pleasance Courtyard of Into the Hoods - a show loosely based around Stephen Sondheim's story Into the Woods. Their dancing and acrobatics were certainly impressive - even in such a small area for them to move in.
Second was Melbourne's rising comedy star, Geraldine Quinn who is performing her one woman show Sexdeathbowie at the Guilded Balloon. She sang one of her comedy songs that she wrote for her niece's birthday which the audience thoroughly enjoyed although you were left with the feeling that she would have been more at home presenting us with more 'nearer the knuckle' material. However it was at Madam Hamilton's request that she remember that this is a family show in what is normally a chapel!
The final guest was Jason Wood, who is better known for his stand-up comedy. This year he is in a play at the Gilded Balloon, entitled Unnatural Acts alongside the multi-talented Jessica Martin who was happy to sit amongst the audience whilst Jason entertained - which he does very well. Unlike a lot of comics he is a naturally funny guy and looking at the past history of good comics who go into acting he might well do the same.
A self-confessed battleaxe, Christine is the driving force of the show. Neil's input being the odd clever one liner or double entendre. Time fillers between the guests' spots included a shortbread tasting for the audience and a competition for volunteers (with a prize actually worth winning) which went on a little too long.
The show was simple, inoffensive, polite and refreshing. The majority of the audience walked back out into the pouring rain with smiles on their faces.
