Soup of the Week: And Steve

★★★★

And Steve showed me that some of the Fringe’s best finds are free. 

Nestled in a room above The Alchemist, Soup of the Week Comedy put on a cleverly funny and historically informative sketch show funded by Felt Nowt. And Steve promised to be ‘a very gay sketch show’ looking for characters who were ‘Steves’: Adam and Eve’s famous third. It’s a potentially tricky approach, requiring a specific level of nuance to formulate the jokes. With a predominantly female cast (requiring some gender-bending), the performers were unbelievably strong and delivered a well-rounded, hilarious show.  

Standout sketches included a Deep South exorcism of a teenager who just won’t stop beatboxing, Anne Boleyn off for a haircut (the big chop), and an insight into how the Bayeux tapestry was made (topical!). The historical focus of the show really demonstrates the strength of the writing, with each sketch proving hugely witty and sharp. Yet the material never feels pretentious; it remains remarkably light-hearted and accessible even without historical familiarity. One segment relies on audience participation, bringing up a ‘victim’ to play the triangle in the middle of a musical number. On the night, it worked well, but it didn’t really feel necessary as the song was funny enough, and it inevitably leaves the troupe somewhat at the mercy of whoever volunteers. Regardless, the performers had brilliant cohesion which allowed sketches to flow smoothly and punchlines to pay off.  

The troupe were slightly robbed by the constraints of the space, as audience members came and went through the same door as the actors. However, despite a couple of unfortunately timed entrances, they were quick on their feet and consistently won the audience over. There was also a notable commitment to physical comedy, showcasing the performers’ range. 

The brilliance of the show lies in its ability to make a classic gag clever and historical figures gay. And Steve was full of charm, and Soup of the Week are a talented bunch to watch.  

Jasmine Starbuck

Cover image via Alannah O’Hare