A recent Edinburgh Festival development has been an increase in female duos who have paid their drama school fees but not their comedy circuit dues.
There is nothing wrong with actors using the Fringe as a springboard, but the results frequently feel less like heartfelt sets and more like cynical showcases.
Sharon and Lauretta Gavin are typical of this trend. Despite the fact that their Scotland-bound show is called Our Funny Bones, these sisters - an eerie blonde hybrid of the Appletons and Lena Zavaroni - have acres of performing ability yet lack comedy sense.
The only time that this mockumentary on a day in the life of a double act strikes gold is when they fluff lines. Here, they exhibit chemistry that no amount of Stanislavski can teach.
Umpteen characters, from battered council estate fishwives to southern belles tormented by flies, never equal the sparkiness of going off-script. Which, given the paucity of witty lines, is the best place to go.
The accents are impeccable but the gags need sharpening. It is telling that when they parody a pair of unfunny holiday camp comics the non-PC patter goes down better than their own.
These clearly talented siblings are crying out for better writers than themselves. Until then they will attract more casting agents than fans.
Until Saturday. Information: 020 7289 6054.
Gavin And Gavin - Our Funny Bones
