Pleasance

Four Stars.

A partnership made in heaven.

The key to a great double-act, from Eric and Ernie to Vic and Bob, is chemistry. It's something which can't be faked, and Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon have enough to start their own laboratory. Their excellent sketch show never falters and builds up to a satisfying denouement without missing a beat.

The format is simple: a sketch or two followed by the pair playing (presumably) exaggerated versions of themselves. Pamphilion is the pretty but dim one while McNeil is the uptight intellectual who "makes clothes look shit". It's a similar dynamic to the Mighty Boosh boys but with a more mainstream feel.

The title of the show refers to one of several musical numbers in the set—asking the audience which they identify most with, “the dullard or the sexy idiot”—all of which are performed with stage school aplomb.

Other sketches, which are mostly short and sweet, play second fiddle to the slow unfurling of the duo's increasingly confused relationship. Two particularly memorable skits include a politically correct version of Jay-Z's '99 Problems' and a man receiving bad news at the fertility clinic. It is a measure of the partnership that a particularly bizarre and potentially offensive section incorporating a rubber glove, lubricant and intimate fondling almost seems sweet.

A storming musical finale seals the deal, as does the always-popular free badge on the way out – this duo are destined for great things.

Four Stars.

Traversing the line between the silly and the outrageous whilst keeping a comic dignity is a difficult skill to master. It is one that Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon display in bucket loads in their sketch show ''Which One Are You?''.

Taking the format of sketches followed by segments of talking to the audience, the two performers are both experts at keeping those watching engrossed in the comedy even during the more risqué sketches. Whilst there is a degree of cheap humour utilised throughout, their clever application and self awareness prevents it from ever feeling over the top.

Although there are many good quality sketches, I prefer the sections which cleverly mix audience interaction with songs, games and McNeil's professed ability to make any item of clothing look bad. The two performers are obviously confident and know exactly how to get the best out of the audience.

The show is loosely based around the idea that the two comics encompass the only two types of people there are in the world. Some people are McNeils: sensible, thoughtful and unhappy. Others are Pamphilons: good looking, air-headed and blissfully unaware. It’s a clichéd idea but as general framework it worked fine.

Strong performances, good writing and comedic personalities make for a high quality show which will leave you laughing throughout. Although it lacks the spark that could make it perfect, it is nonetheless well worth a watch.

Four Stars.

Finally a comedy that makes you really laugh! This may sound like an overstatement but having been to more underwhelming comedy shows than I care to remember this Fringe, here is one that is worth its weight in gold! Witty, revolting and charming all at the same time, McNeil and Pamphilon deserve bums on seats and your recognition.

I honestly haven’t seen an audience enjoy themselves so thoroughly, or two comedians more in tune and in their element this festival. Already an award-winning double act, these two are establishing an impressive resume at record speed: tickets to their debut sketch show ‘Addicted to Danger!’ sold out and they are 2011 Hackney Empire New Act of the Year finalists. McNeil and Pamphilon are definitely an act to keep an eye on.

Moving at a well-measured pace that keeps things fresh and pithy, their sketches are crammed with clever lines and vivid characters. The ‘Mr. Snaffles Bit My Bobby’ sketch is unforgettable and the lyrics to their song ‘Which One Are You?’ had the audience in stitches and the lady behind me snorting with delight. At points their material does slack, but this is forgiven as their momentum is so seldom lost. Go!

Five Stars!

Never have a comedy duo been so fixated on each other's balls. If Morecambe and Wise were born in the 1980s and found themselves in dissatisfying nine-to-five jobs, then perhaps they would have written a sketch show a little like this.

McNeil and Pamphilon had a marvellous bromance and a comedic chemistry that was wonderfully self-evident, spawning a series of electriying gags which were executed with enviable panache and an endearing and relaxed comic presence.

With a mix of musical numbers and exquisitely timed sketches, they played superbly off each other's foibles in a fine example of sharp, cut-and-thrust comedy.

Come! Gorge your humour-bones on casually-styled, face-achingly funny comedy.