"★★★★"
by Steve Bennett
“This year the first criterion was definitely fulfilled with The Chris & Paul Show, as a genuine new discovery was thrust unexpectedly into the Edinburgh Comedy Awards limelight. Yesterday’s surprise announcement clearly caught the industry on the hop, as the audience for the first show after the nomination was announced was half-human, half-notebook as critics, myself included, rushed to play catch-up.
And after watching gifted New Yorkers Chris O'Neill and Paul Valenti, who describe themselves as modern vaudevillians, the ‘why’ question is firmly answered, too. They are sharp physical performers – reminiscent of the best silent comedy stars – with a keen sense of melodrama, surprise and the absurd, often all at once....”
"★★★★"
by Jon Stapley
“Sketch comedy duo Chris O’Niell and Paul Valenti started last night with a bit of a mountain to climb. A slightly disgruntled audience were shepherded into the Fancy Room at the Caves for a ten-minutes-late start. The air was a little tense and there was a sense that the pair would have to work hard to win over this particular crowd. Fortunately, moments after they shyly stepped out from behind their backdrop, it became clear that Chris and Paul’s unique brand of irreverent sketches and physical humour was a winner. The result was a very different, very funny hour of comedy that quickly won the audience’s affections and left everyone with big grins on their faces....”
"★★★★"
“The simplistic title echoes the minimalist approach here to sketch comedy. Relying more on character and talent than their more erudite contemporaries, these two guys are possibly the cuddliest New Yorkers ever to be exported over here.
Unsophisticated scenarios are played out beautifully and with such immersion in their childlike roles that at times it is easy to forget these are adults. At various points sinister little peaks into their dark psyches show that these guys are very clever and witty. They delight in bringing members of the audience not just up on stage but into the roles of co-conspirators and playmates. This feels like a TED video about childlike-play in adult men....
