Comedy duo James Cottle and Kevin Kennedy take their audience through a series of hilarious scenarios verging on the absurd in this sketch show. At times the show lives up to its promise, exposing parts of the male psyche in a brutally candid way. At other times, it merely divulges the bizarre, if not worrying, imagination of two comedians.
The commentary and expansion on themes are fresh, fun and giggle-inducing. Just when the audience is lulled into a sense of gag closure, the duo step it up a gear to pack in an extra, gloriously unexpected laugh with great timing, as well as unassuming one-liners. Particular highlights include: Scotland’s independence from England likened to a couple’s break up; the complex agreement to a duel between two gentlemen; and the stark aftermath of a Primark sale.
Admittedly, not all of their material is groundbreaking. The sketch about the band with unrealistic dreams of changing the world with their music has been done before. Equally, the confident idiot who teaches the insecure idiot to pick up girls by insulting them is not terribly innovative. Yet these exceptions do nothing to detract from the overall originality of the sketches, which on the whole are comprised of unique characters and imaginative plots.
Man Feelings is bound to tickle its audience throughout, unless the audience feels a special loyalty to injury lawyers4you (Cottle’s spoof is brilliant), which is unlikely. As it’s free, what better way to spend an hour than embracing male naivety and ridiculousness? If Cottle and Kennedy have shown what it truly is to be a man with feelings, then dose me up on testosterone and break my heart because it feels good.
