REVIEW: KNOCKED CONSCIOUS at Drayton Arms Theatre 3 – 7 December 2024

‘a thrilling rollercoaster of comedy.’ ★★★★

Over the course of an hour, Knocked Conscious (pleasantly) knocked you in the face with a string of witty, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud sketches that left you doubled over with laughter. The show flew by—a testament to the talent in the writing and the humorous performances. The constant variety meant the sketches kept you engaged throughout the show. Time flew when you were having fun-ny people performing!

The sheer variety of sketches was incredible. Whether it was pop culture references, musical parodies, gags, cheeky double entendres, absurd "what if" scenarios, or killer punchlines, the show’s versatility was highly impressive. The parody songs, in particular, were an absolute riot—expertly written, brimming with sharp wit, and performed with infectious energy. The range of the cast—Mungo Russell, Gayaneh Lara, Henrie Allen, Calum Maclean, and Jack Firoozan—was as brilliant as the comedy they covered. They nailed everything from accents and singing to physical comedy. You could feel their synergy bouncing off one another, with all the cast members equally committing to a strong energy and dedication to their performances. Every performer shone, embracing their roles with an enthusiasm that was as contagious as their humour.

The clever structure of the show was another highlight. Sketches flowed seamlessly, keeping the audience on their toes, and the returning sketches were pure genius. My favourite was a recurring bit in which a member of a quartet tragically died each time we returned to the sketch. This left us with a hilariously awkward rendition of ‘Lollipop’ performed by a lone survivor—a comedic crescendo I won’t soon forget. You could feel the actors’ enjoyment in the writing and performance (a few times breaking character to hide their sniggers), and you could definitely hear the audience’s enjoyment in their frequent laughs and applause.

What made the show even more entertaining and commendable was how the cast made so much out of so little. Minimal props gave their performances the freedom to take centre stage. Their clever use of gestures and expressions pulled the audience into every scene, proving that imagination could be the best prop of all. The transitions were quick and seamless, keeping the momentum going and the laughter rolling. The costuming, consisting of simple office-style attire, added another layer of comedy and imagination, as it hilariously contrasted with the absurd scenarios being acted out. It felt like watching a group of coworkers with a knack for mischief letting their creativity run riot.

You could sense the potential for the show to grow. A few sketches felt like some cast members had yet to solidify their delivery in terms of lines, character portrayals, and timing. This occasionally caused jokes to fall flat or miss their full potential. The slight inconsistency in the comedy slowed the otherwise relentless momentum of humour and fun that was building. However, these were minor stumbles in what was otherwise a thrilling rollercoaster of comedy.

In short, Knocked Conscious was a joyous, laugh-out-loud spectacle that took sketch comedy to impressive heights. It was clever, unpredictable, and packed with unforgettable moments. If you were looking for a show that left your sides aching as you tried to decide which sketch was your favourite, this is the one.

Reviewer @olivia_tallulah

Knocked Conscious @ the Drayton Arms Theatre from 3rd – 7th December 2024

Cast

MUNGO RUSSELL

GAYANEH LARA

HENRIE ALLEN

CALUM MACLEAN

JACK FIROOZAN