Well, the first thing to say is that they aren’t. The reason for the title becomes clearer as the show progresses, though it may also be a marketing ploy. It’s a 30-year-old American chamber musical set in the world of 80’s stand-up comedy which hasn’t had an outing here for over 25 years.
The first act takes place in three stand-up clubs as three comics move from solo acts to a threesome, and on a flight to LA for their big break on the Johnny Carson Show. In the second half they get an agent, their own TV show, a world tour and disillusionment before finally breaking up.
The first part, where we see their very different solo acts, is sometimes excruciating and embarrassing. This is no doubt intentional, but excruciating nonetheless, and for me the show never really recovers from this. The material throughout is patchy and the score very inconsistent. There are excellent moments – a whistle-stop journey from the 50’s to the 80’s – but too many weak spots for comfort.
It’s badly dated and the material isn’t really worthy of the three talented performers – Simon Haines, Guy Wolf and Benedict Hastings – or the excellent 5-piece band under Josh Sood.
I usually enjoy these Finborough rediscoveries, but in this case it proves there are sometimes good reasons why a show hasn’t been produced for 25 years. The Finborough is also renowned for it’s excellent air-con, but for some reason on this occasion it was the Finborough Sauna, which didn’t help.
Gareth's Culture and Travel Blog 
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