At the beginning of Spooky Dookie: Cool New Planet!!, the actors tell us that they are aliens who are trying to build a new planet to go in between Venus and Mars: they want to call it ‘Ermth,’ and they are currently working on the design. Do they want animals? Shadows? How do we name things? And what should things look like?
The premise to this sketch show allows for a lot of space for creative freedom and exploration — a whole new planet of funny things, told by characters who have never heard of them. It’s a smooth beginning to the set, and works well to introduce the actors to us.
However, as they show spins off into a series of sketches, I wanted to hear more links back to the original premise all the way through, to guide the audience through the show. Moments which did circle back were a welcome thread through the performance, and more of this would have improved the flow.
Nonetheless, this duo is dynamic. At times verging on the Millennial cringe (but always in an endearing way), Claire McFadden and Maureen Monahan’s sketches are diverse — at times silly, at times satirical, and at times topical. Their comedic chemistry is delightful to watch, and the show felt, in moments, like being in a drama class and watching two best friends creating sketches. This energy was charming and infectious.
Despite this being their Fringe debut, Spooky Dookie have been performing together for some time, and both of these performers are littered with writing credits – McFadden currently writes on Saturday Night Live, and Monahan has written for The Onion and Comedy Central. They are undeniably funny. Character acting from McFadden is particularly impressive, as she takes on a perverted shadow, a deadbeat boss and a useless boyfriend with conviction and commitment.
Despite being very American (and having a high proportion of Americans in the audience!), I was endeared by the humour and found myself laughing the whole time. The hour went by quickly and I left keen to see more from this pair, and wishing it was longer (always a good sign!). Spooky Dookie: Cool New Planet!! is an excellently silly Fringe debut by McFadden and Monahan, and promises brilliant things to come.
Spooky Dookie: Cool New Planet!! is running until August 31 (excluding 17, 24) at Blether at Gilded Balloon Patter House. Buy tickets here.
Image by Jill Petracek, provided to The Student as press material.
