O’Shea and Ogilvie, A Comedy of Careers, Friday 28th September, Cygnet New Theatre
By Jenna Richards
These girls just keep getting better.
I saw this comedy pair the last time they performed in Exeter and was impressed. But with their new show, A Comedy of Careers, they have raised the bar. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them on a TV set near you very soon.
Carefully crafted characters, performed with effortless comedy timing make O’Shea and Ogilvie stand out. I’m not normally a fan of sketch shows, I often find many of the characters tedious and somehow cheesy, but these girls pull off one brilliant character after another.
My personal favourite, a wanna-be ninja self defence instructor with some rather unusual techniques, had me laughing so hard my face hurt. But then their interpretation of a film director had me giggling, their salesperson had me squirming in my seat, and their police officer musical was sheer brilliance.
But it isn’t just comedy characters the girls do well. They also sing some fabulous songs. In a tribute to their support act, Spike the poet from Corby, the pair had melodised two of his poems.
My personal favourite Sexual Secrets – about a woman’s relationship with her sex toys – perfectly suited the unique O and O singing style. Sung almost stoically the girls’ expressions didn’t once portray the filthy words tunefully filling the room. The beautifully sweet melodies would not normally be associated with such dirty lyrics – but when this comedy duo takes to the stage it works fantastically.
I happened to be seated beside Spike. He was embarrassed but clearly delighted with their take on his ditties. I’m sure I heard the word ‘unbelievable’ as he applauded vigorously after one of their songs.
Spike the poet from Corby had opened the show and, although for me his set started off slowly, he didn’t disappoint.
Spike began with political poetry – I was there for comedy and didn’t warm to his more serious prose – it’s not really my sort of thing.
But when his verse turned to the lighter side of life I was impressed. I often find it difficult to concentrate on poems – by the time a poet reaches the end of their well crafted verse I have forgotten how it started and completely missed the point.
But as Spike recited his rhymes I was transfixed, his subjects appealing to my sense of humour. Topics covered wine and snobbery, not having anything to write about plus one of my favourites God is a Frog. There was also one recurring theme which had me giggling away, but left my companion aghast and looking on with prim distain – sex. Amongst other things Spike talked about sexy chefs, sex toys and the aging process of the male genitalia with, I felt, hilarious consequences.
O’Shea an Ogilvie will be at Topsham’s Matthews Hall on Friday 26th October for an Amnesty International comedy night. They are well worth checking out. If you can’t be there make sure you are available the next time they hit the stage in Exeter – they’re great!