The success of The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek is both understandable and totally baffling, says Sarah Sharp

Hotly tipped as hot comedic stuff and playing to packed out audiences, the 3Gs seem sorted for this Edinburgh Fringe – and perhaps for the foreseeable future. It’s understandable, and yet at the same time totally baffling. Why this should be the sketch show that sells out when there’s so much more to had elsewhere is somewhat disappointing?

It’s not altogether surprising, though. Theirs is a good, perfectly serviceable type of comedy; it’s silly, fun, uncomplicated. The punchlines are not laboured and often play off a kind of predictability that recommends them to an audience who want their jokes served straight up and simple. This type of show is not out to shock, bamboozle or confuse – it’s just there to entertain: and for what it is, it does well.

For the most part it’s a rapid-fire volley of unconnected scenes. They move in, deliver the punchline, move out. It’s comfortable stuff, and unless you object to grown men sometimes dressing as babies, completely inoffensive. There are some running gags that serve them well – and one at least that brings about the only punchline that wasn’t the obvious one. It starts somewhat unremarkably but definitely picks up pace as it progresses. The last sketch in particular, an ovine spin on Billy Elliot, brings us to a fitting finale.

There’s a bit of dancing and dressing up as various animals. There’s some dabbling in accents with a side order of gurning. Although one is clearly ginger and one a Geordie, any element of geekery seemed mostly for the benefit of the poster shot and a good bit of titular alliteration. However, for those who aren’t a curmudgeon like me, this is no doubt very enjoyable. If you’re looking for a break from all the intricate narrative sketch format that has begun to infiltrate the genre, The Ginge the Geordie and the Geek can provide you with an hour of solid no-frills fun.

3 stars

The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek are on at Just the Tonic at 4.45pm and 7.45pm

Review written by Sarah Sharp