4 out of 5 stars The Taint Brothers
Reviewed · Updated
This show takes some really big swings.
I saw it at 2:30pm on a Wednesday, with a smaller crowd in the Westbury. That's not how this show wants to be seen, and all the credit to the performers for giving it their all in a tough timeslot.
This show is a combination of really bro-y sketch bits and clowning, heartfelt storytelling and extremely silly bits. Some of them whiffed, but many of them had me audibly laughing out loud (which is something I don't tend to do. Funny stuff generally gets quiet inward chortles from me). There is a bit with racecar noises that I loved.
There are points where the show would really be improved with the audience being loud, boisterous, whooping, hollering and cheering, and I think the vibes would be better in a later, more-sold crowd.
I heard the people near me debating walking out, while I was killing myself laughing at a bit. That's how you know a show has hit on something special.
There's lots of pretty low humour in this show, and if "The Taint Brothers" and the show description didn't tip you off, there's a good amount of dick jokes and scrotums. It's a smart show – I think. I'm pretty sure. Probably – but presented nearly exclusively through tripling-down on blue humour and dumb bits, and playing with extreme tonal whiplash.
I loved their past work including Iago vs Hamlet 4.5 out of 5 stars (2025) and The War of 1812 from several years back. This show is not really anything like those. It's its own thing.
Absolutely worth seeing, but enter the theatre willing to let loose and just enjoy the ride.
