Dutch Elm Conservatoire

The 2004 Fringe Festival does appear to be the Year of the Sketch, with sketch groups appearing from every angle. It’s a difficult area in which to write in, with precious few outlandish circumstances not already dealt with by previous troops, and the danger of stumbling on to another’s territory is around every corner. In this sketch eat sketch world, therefore, it’s difficult to believe that this is the first Fringe outing for Dutch Elm.

The first thing to strike about their show is the constant movement of the five performers on and off the stage. All entrances and exits are incorporated in to the body of the show, and become their main asset – characters from previous sketches are left to interact with those from the next. A dead body left on stage after one grizzly sketch is told by the next that they’ve booked the room, and leaves, shamefaced and apologising. The music, occasionally performed on keyboard or guitar, runs too long in to the next sketch and the musician runs off swearing. One sketch consists entirely of two lines, and lasts less than five seconds. Basically, it’s a fast moving show and you’ve got to hold on tight to keep up.

On this level, it works very well – if you’re bored with what’s happening, there’ll be something along soon enough. But that is also the weak point of the show – the rapid movement of themes and ideas means that nothing is ever properly explored or explained, and nothing moves past the obvious and quite often predictable punchlines and conclusions. Some of the sketches could have worked well lasting slightly longer, and it does feel a shame when they all fly past in a blur.

Overall, it is a very good first outing from this obviously talented group, who will no doubt be going on to very great things.

10.45pm, Pleasance Beside