Cabaret

Who Barry & Stuart

What Young Scottish comedy magicians with a fondness for sharp things

Why Walk into this show and, disconcertingly, the stars are already on stage. Barry & Stuart are sat at a table, drinking cups of tea and talking quietly – about rocking a hot lights’n’three piece suit combo perhaps, or about the audience, probably – as the seats fill and the doors are pulled closed. They start as they mean to go on: with grisly trickery and quick-witted Scottish banter. Cheese wire, needles, six-inch nails: these are the things their often brilliant show is made of. It’s not just blood vials and grossed-out audiences, though, they’re also fond of highly questionable vinyl record covers, picking up girls and impressive hypnosis. The show doesn’t entirely run on rails: some tricks are less polished than others and the banter stumbles in places. All in, they’re sweet and talented young guys, they just like sharp blades and bloody tricks… and that always makes for a fun night out. Simone Baird

At Underbelly’s Belly Button until Aug 30, 10.15pm