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The reason this group scores over a good number of other sketch groups is that they understand the format that they’re working within: in other words, stage rather than television (this was best demonstrated, ironically, when the gang attempted to recreate a Boy Band video live on stage). There was a great deal of verve and energy here, meaning that if one gag wasn’t immediately going to tickle us, they made sure they beat us into helpless submission with their drive. Certainly a little dog-eared, but always very sharp.                     
The Three And Ten, 8 May
4/5
Andrew Allen

Five proud women on stage told us what it is to be a woman in a ruthlessly male world. And sure enough, someone had invoked the name of Venus within the first thirty seconds. However, it was all a lot sharper and cleverer than that. Like any good courtesan, this worked better when they were getting physical: either bickering with each other, or providing the backgrounds to each other’s stories. In fact, this last was vital, since a good portion of the dialogue was exposition. Otherwise, you’d have been well advised to spend an hour in an upstairs room with these ladies.                                                                                                    
The Marlborough Theatre, 8 May
4/5
Andrew Allen

Over the last decade, circus has had to transform itself from tame, half-hearted and rather pointless entertainment for young kids into a modern, professional spectacle. In fact, a revolution was what was required, and so it is fitting that the Moscow State Circus has been in the vanguard. This year’s show, entitled Legenda, with its theme based on Russian Folklore and its best known figure Rasputin, brings with it a huge cast of acrobats, clowns and contortionists who combine the old style classical, gravity defying circus with more contemporary styles of special effects and illusion. An unmissable Festival experience.
Big Top, Preston Park, 6 May (until 16 May)
Paulo Clark
5/5

Of course, the venue gets five stars all by itself. Once you’d walked past the genuinely jaw-slackening exhibits that make up the Sea Life Centre – surely the best warm-up act anyone could wish for – you wondered how any comic could match up. Added to that, Robin Ince wasn’t actually able to make it on this night. No matter; in his absence, he provided some sterling supply staff to blow us all out of the water, including the engaging Blue Peter science expert Steve Mould, and Jo Neary, providing a lecture on sex aids. A genuinely rare and beautiful gig: with live sharks.                                                                          
Brighton Sea Life Centre, 7 May         
5/5                                                     
Andrew Allen