We tend to think of situation comedy as something that forms the basis of a series, but really, the term can also apply to any unusual situation that someone can mine for humour. Brain Sluts is the story of four idiots (and their doctor) who sign up for medical experiments in order to earn some fast cash. (Signing up to help develop medicine isn’t the thing that makes them idiots; just everything else about them.)
Our team of experimental test subjects comprises Duggan, a bright and breezy sort of chap desperate to make friends, Mitch, a sulky anti-work know-it-all and Bathsheba, a posh and air-headed type who just assumes everything will work out for the best. The team is rounded off with the nervous Yaz, who’s desperate for the cash. They’re all supervised by Doctor Evans, a distracted medical professional who really isn’t paying attention to what’s going on.
The subjects have to meet every Sunday and spend the day being observed once they’ve taken the ‘new drug’. After being asked if they’ve read all the literature by Doctor Evans, they’re left to their own devices. Sadly, the wi-fi is down, so they have to interact with each other.
The show is composed of these various Sundays, and much of the humour comes from the fact that none of these people have anything in common. Fans of very old TV shows may be reminded of Only When I Laugh, a 70’s era sitcom about the NHS. Brainsluts channels this medical misfit vibe to great effect.
Fantastic comic writing and excellent comic performance. Funny, but not terribly slutty.
You can book tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe show here and learn more about the artist here.
