Belly Rub.

I went to see the sketch group sometimes known as Belly Rub (though nobody used the name last night, maybe they`ve dropped it). I`d met Tom at a couple of gigs but this was the first time I`d seen their material. They`d organised the gig themselves, and it was certainly a slicker evening than most of the local comedy nights I'd been to -though they did want 4 pounds on the door - so you gets what you pays for. The gig was more like a private party, the audience being mostly friends / friends of friends and hence were very attentive and respectfully quiet. This was just as well, as though The Establishment is a very stylish modern bar, it's not a natural comedy venue- there's no stage- and if people hadn't been willing to keep quiet and stand during the performance then most people wouldn't have seen / heard anything.
So were they any good... Yes. Well written sketches in the Python tradition ('This isn't a Lift it's my office. BING! 5th Floor!' 'You may have wondered why you are different to the other boys - the truth is son you're a penguine.') Not to say it's derivative- you can spot the influences, but I've never minded that as long as it's funny and not a wholesale rip-off. Tom's main partner (I forgot his name-sue me.) is a great actor and his accents and exaggeration really add - Tom himself is pretty much the same in each sketch but they work well together. The supporting actress is also great in the sketches, though her comedy songs were a tad long (possibly the point where a less friendly audience might lose interest.) Other high points were the Goth watching sketch and coming out of the closet as a soft rock fan.
All in all a good night, but is there enough general interest to make this kind of event a regular occurance?- I hope so. A sketch based comedy night (Where the audience expect the format, the performers are prepared to put the work in and have the control of the venue to guarantee props mics and FXare all working) would be a great addition to the Newcastle scene.