Dark, green and wicked sketch show.

We are welcomed the world of the Absinthe Monologues with a free glass of La Fee absinthe by The Cad, a slightly grotesque ‘remnant of British Imperialism’. The Cad also supplies us with the best programme that I’ve seen so far this year – a mini work of art in its own right, which includes instructions for mixing your absinthe. And then the show begins.

The smoking jacket clad Cad takes his place at the side of the stage and it becomes evident that we are seeing a series of sketches presented as some of the wanderings of his absinthe addled brain. These sketches are very ably performed by a cast of 3 men and 1 woman. The presentation is fast and slick, and the music chosen adds to the atmosphere. The host is excellent – everything is spot on: from his costume to his physique; from his accent to his capacity to down absinthe (I’m hoping his was coloured water: otherwise I am seriously worried about his health come September).

So why only three stars? Well, quite simply, I just didn’t find most of it that funny. I’m not sure the extent to which this is taste – some of the other members of the audience were in stitches – but I felt that there was an over reliance on basic shock themes and taboos. But that’s not to say that these don’t work at all – expect to hear more about the Sex Offender Olympics idea – very skilfully performed in slow-motion effect.

You’ll be hard pressed to see a more professionally put together sketch show, but this will work best for you if you like your humour dark, dirty and surreal. [Kathryn Mack]