Two Episodes of Mash

“Basically we’ll come out, do 11 sketches, then you guys will leave and we’ll go back behind the curtain.” That’s how Joe Wilkinson sets up his and Diane Morgan’s latest comedy act, Two Episodes of Mash. Not exactly the most enthusiastic pre-performance audience hype-up you’re likely to see at the Fringe, but then Wilkinson doesn’t need to pour buckets of energy into his act for it to work.

Instead he adopts a kind of deadpan, nonchalant air as he shuffles around stage with baggy hoody and unkempt beard, exuding loveable awkwardness. This demeaour translates to his sketch characters, who all seem to deal with bizarre situations using a hilariously idiosyncratic repertoire of banal, humdrum dialogue.

At one point he’s a random guy in a human cannonball outfit who approaches Morgan and feebly attempts to chat her up with talk of the human cannonball industry. Another sketch has him as Superman, who has realised he looks like a bit of a berk in his spandex and so has decided he might as well just fly around with his hands in his pockets.

The sketches are very surreal and the duo's outlandish style of comedy won’t appeal to everybody. But it will go down a treat with those who like their jokes to be weird and wonderful, particularly as the skits are all brilliantly nuanced and superbly acted.

Some of the more obscure references (such as to 70s prog rock band Genesis) will seem a bit in-jokey but the duo deserve full marks for creativity and outright wackiness. A hugely enjoyable show from two considerable comic talents.