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	Just the Tonic at The Caves (venue website) Comedy 2-13, 15-26 Aug, 3:25pm-4:25pm Reviewed by Martin Lennon
Recommended for age 14+ only.

Silky Pair – comedians Kathryn Bond and Lorna Shaw – have set up a ‘sketch shop’, an inventive premise for their sketch show.  The Essex girls are Happy to Help you enjoy a fantastic performance, and there are even a few surprise guests popping in.

The plot revolves around their plan to do something to help their underperforming shop, with a sideline built around Shaw’s flirtations with a sandwich vendor. As well as sketches, the Silky Pair entertain the audience with a variety of songs and some very groovy dancing.  Throw in a few cameo appearances and you’ve got the bulk of the show.

Both Bond and Shaw have a naturally funny demeanour, and each sketch is performed perfectly; there weren’t many moments when I didn't find myself chuckling at the antics of the duo and their surreal sketches. A moment of crowd interaction, when they gave away some of their props as jokes – while at the same time making fun of us – was smartly done. But I thought the songs were best of all. Whether it was “Phoning in sick” or the catchy “Get a room, get a room yeah,” the songs were consistently hilarious.

A few sections, though, weren’t as strong. The aforementioned sub-plot, built around a sandwich-selling guy who caught Shaw’s eye, was at first quite humorous. But it quickly became tired, as they repeated the joke and based too much of the plot around it. One or two other sketches didn't quite come off as intended, and a call-and-response number where the crowd had to shout “We love you Lorna!” didn't match the quality of the other material either.

Overall though, this is certainly one of the best sketch shows I have seen at the Fringe this year. I am sure these two young ladies will be able to help themselves to a very bright future in comedy.