Slapstick sequel pulling in laughs

BIG BOYS II with Ash and Brad Searle, directed by Vanessa Harris, by Follow Spot Productions. The Highlander, 10am and 8pm daily until Sunday (morning only on July 13)

BIG boys can dance and lightning can strike twice, as this sequel to the multi-award-winning comedy dance show has proved at this year's festival.

Real-life brothers Ash and Brad Searle – who admittedly look nothing like each other from the neck up – are pulling in the crowds with this fringe show, the Follow Spot Production sequel to Big Boys Can't Dance.

So much so that they are putting it on twice every day, and when you see the level of physical activity that is quite something.

Big Boys II picks up where Big Boys Can't Dance left off, except that the opening scene is on the red carpet in Hollywood, where they seem to have hit the big time.

But, since the story sees big brother Ash about to get married and goofy little brother Brad messing it up, how on earth did these two klutzes reach Los Angeles?

Their journey is straight out of a Phineas and Ferb cartoon with disaster after disaster overtaking the pair, until the day is saved by the Forest Gump-like Brad.

It is clear the two Searle boys are not just comedians, they are also talented hip-hop dancers who pull off mean moves and fancy footwork alongside their slapstick routines.

And, from the neck down they are indeed alike – toned machines, bringing whistles of appreciation from the ladies when they strip down in a Magic Mike inspired number.

The background soundtrack notches up the vibe so that the atmosphere almost throughout the one-hour show is "party on, dude".

The performers appear to have a blast as they travel from South Africa to London to try and save to day – and Ash's wedding.

If you haven't seen the show before, you may think the guys are corpsing on stage, which brought more laughs, but they are so slick and do this so often it is more likely that this is part of the act. – Gillian McAinsh