Review: Metroland Live: The Box

Described as the north east’s answer to Monty Python, Metroland Comedy make their Fringe debut in a sketch show fuelled by absurdity, confidence and friendship. Bringing their unique sense of fun to the stage, there’s no doubt that this quintet loves performing.

Sharing a name with an indoor theme park in Gateshead, closed since 2008, Metroland Live is a roller-coaster of sketches, songs and silly costumes. Some of the characters, like Billy the Stink (the human form of “that smelly smell that smells like piss on piss”) have featured in their web series, while others are brand new.

The five performers go all in as they seamlessly move from one surreal scenario to the next, including thumb war, ‘cooking’ pot noodle and a laughing game with custard pie. They create a good atmosphere from the start, literally getting the audience on its feet, and their great chemistry and references to the north east create a sense of a group of lads just having a laugh.

Some sketches are too long, which makes the show lose momentum, while characters like The Grafters don’t work as well on stage, where they appear strangely superficial. But overall, it’s a strong debut by five fearless friends serving up fresh comedy with a surreal spin.