Bourgeois and Maurice

After a three year hiatus from the Fringe, comic cabaret duo Bourgeois and Maurice are officially back – caked in eye shadow and resplendent in full glittery glory.

As their posters attest, the pair are visually magnificent, particularly the irrepressible Bourgeois who stalks the stage in vertiginous stilettos and a skintight green-sequined one-piece. Maurice is very much the straight ‘man’ to Georgeois Bourgeois’ prancing, prowling ego, and in truth her glum passive-aggression feels a little forced alongside Bourgeois’ natural, audience-bating charm. The pair are accomplished musicians and the lion’s share of their comic power pop is slick and well delivered. At best the songs give us a surreal, offbeat take on current affairs, particularly the sadomasochistic triumph ‘tax me’ and ‘Europe,’ a metaphorical call-to-arms to a half-cut continent. 

The duo bill themselves as ‘bitingly witty’ but in truth Sugartits is only ever gently satirical. Indeed, at times the hour-long set veers towards style over substance and certain songs, such as ‘Social Networks (Make Me Feel Shit),’ feel predictable and even a little lazy. Sugartits is vivacious, amusing and well constructed, but jostling for position in a festival crammed with musical comedians, it may be useful to remember that all that glitters is not gold.