2011 Edinburgh Fringe
WitTank review
WitTank's name is, one would hope, designed to invoke the sensibilities of the Think Tank, the intellectual juggernauts that power governmental thinking in this country. With jokes. Taking place in the small, narrow confines of Just The Tonic, WitTank storm the stage with... well... in actual fact their introduction was quite understated in terms of what was to come, with warnings against satire and in-jokes. No warnings against wonderful slapstick though because that would have been wildly inaccurate.
The show isn't full of glitz and many of the props used are pretty basic but that all forms part of the appeal. The guys are able to spin absolute hilarity out of a relatively small budget and give everyday situations a beautifully surreal spin with an ease that a lot of sketch shows lack. Nothing in WitTank's repertoire feels forced, their scene transitions are down to a tee, their timing is absolutely perfect in every single sketch and, perhaps most importantly, they allow the audience to react and make them feel part of the show.
Lo-fi effects and a real sense of fun punctuate the show and give the three performers an air reminiscent of Court Jesters captivating the court with their antics and japes. A whole host of comic creations make an appearance. Everyone from an obsessive headmaster to the Nefarious Mister Ears and no subject is off limits. Drinking too much, dancing with your dinner and even space farms are all included in the charming silliness.
A wise man once said that one should beware of shows with a lot of hype around them. However, let us assure you that the hype for WitTank is very much deserved and this show is a definite must see.