Itch: A Scratch Event

In his introduction to the vision behind Itch: A Scratch Event, Mike Hayley describes the production as a chance to see “comedians doing something different”. Essentially, though, Itch: A Scratch Event is a sketch show in rehearsal. Directed by Maggie Inchley, it becomes a showcase for the various members of the Comedians' Theatre Company to exhibit, in daily rotation, a series of new mini-plays (or, rather, extended sketches) they have penned themselves. They are so new in fact, that for most of them the actors need to use their scripts. For the most part though, this in no way impedes the fun.

Boasting a roster of familiar funny people, this is straight-up British comedy from students of the old school: the first sketch features two middle-aged men debating over their border hedge whether or not to confront their philandering neighbour as an argument could “threaten the harmony of the cul-de-sac”, while Mike Hayley’s creation the anthropologist-cum-“helpless orifice” Clovis Von Darkhelm is distilled Tony Hancock gold.

Above all though, Itch is fun for both us the audience and the comedians on show. Apart from one vignette in which the serious topic of the breakdown of a relationship is discussed, these are comedians simply doing exactly what they do best: making people laugh. And without the pressure of expectation or the burden of reputation that would normally be attached to a standup or sketch show, they succeed again and again.