A sequel to the show that deservedly won Joe Kent-Walters best newcomer in last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards, DEAD!!! (Good Fun Time) catches up with the wretched working men’s club impresario and “Yorkshire’s biggest bastard” Frankie Monroe feeling rather at home rotting in Hell.
With a suitably dungeon-like venue and (slightly) more budget spent on spiffy animation, he’s an entertaining entertainments convenor for the damned, leading us through his nonsensical set-piece of songs, magical tricks and rigged games of chance with agile bantering and intimidating of the front rows.
Good, dishonest fun, there’s nevertheless a strong, sulphuric whiff of retread to the enterprise. And it’s impossible to ignore the feeling of diminishing returns. Frankie needs a stronger, more distinct storyline if the character isn’t just to fall by the wayside, the elements that made him vital and distinct beginning to curdle.
Somewhat inexplicably and to no great purpose, Kent-Walters plays his own nemesis in this hour, the joke being that give or take an overpriced craft ale, Vegas Dave is only a cigarette slip of difference away from Frankie. But Jain Edwards was right there in a cameo role and could have facilitated a proper showdown.
Joe Kent-Walters is Frankie Monroe: DEAD!!! (Good Fun Time), Monkey Barrel Comedy, until 24 Aug (not 11, 12), 9.30pm (extra show 10 Aug, 2.50pm)