The product of what we can only assume was a bunch of misfit university students procrastinating their way through final exams, The 2 Mouthed Men show brings us a concoction of zany comedy sketches and bodacious beatboxing.
Informally, we meet Daniel (Stanger-Cornwell) and James (Hawley), introduced very lovingly by their manager, and by all accounts general Mr-Fix-It, Harry Neal. Due to technical difficulties ten seconds in, Harry felt like an extended character of the show, intentionally or unintentionally you can never be sure, but it works. Throwing everyone into their box of frogs repertoire, the audience is taken on a journey comprised of sketch comedy, rap, spoken word poetry, song, instrumentals and a symphony of strangely synthesized noises you don't hear every day.
In such an intimate, relaxed setting, with just enough audience participation, the atmosphere is almost reminiscent of a game of charades in a friend's living room as you try to decipher what farmyard animal these two jokers are going to impersonate next.
The comedic chemistry between Daniel and James is obvious, their humour is fun, fresh and fantastically funky. Whose-Line-Is-It-Anyway springs to mind as an influence for this farcical duo, due to the brilliant blend of mime and unusual sound effects; the only thing that is lacking compared to those experts is the time and experience it takes to be a seasoned comic. Their set is by no means polished and there are some moments that the joke might need a little explanation. However, sometimes the journey to the punchline is greater than the finish and in this case, the journey will have your stomach aching with laughter. The beat-boxing and musical side to the performance is really impressive, so smooth and seemingly easy for them that you forget that not everyone can make that kind of composition with their vocal cords.
Lighting the stage plays a brilliant part in the comedy and just proves that this gang really are thinking of everything to use the space they play in effectively.
Overall, it is an exciting thought to wonder what these boys are going to dream up next and arguably, it is worth hearing what these two mouths have to say when this is the kind of bizarre but honest material they generate.
Review: Vivienne King