Inspector Norse (Tour – Oldham)

On my first trip to the Coliseum since it’s wonderful refurbishment; it is the comedy duo of Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding who make up Lipservice that are gracing the stage.  This time they have chosen the theme of Nordic Noir and the current trend for Scandinavian crime drama as the backdrop for their particular brand of amateurish appearing yet incredibly well thought out and performed comedy.

With all the standard stereotypes thrown in; flat pack furniture, knitted items, meatballs, thrash metal and of course Sweden’s best known pop act; Inspector Norse cannot help but be very witty and highly amusing.  

The plot loosely revolves around two detectives trying to establish which members of 70’s pop act FABBA are trying to kill each other off.  This allows for comedy driving scenes, hot tub scenes and lots more besides.

There are lots of giggles and silliness but it just lacks a few more big laugh out loud moments. Hampered by sound problems with the radio microphones in Act One and some confusion over the start time of the chow; it takes some time for the show to settle and get in to full flow.  Act Two does get somewhat muddled and is not as strong as Act One but Fox and Ryding are brilliant performers and their comedic timing is always spot on.  

The set deserves a special mention as it largely revolves around a large paperback novel (crime fiction of course) and as it is opened up, each double page spread reveals another great set of scenery.; the best being the knitted lodge belonging to the Freya Johannsen, a suspect in the case.  Lipservice have been taking donations throughout the run and the set includes knitted mugs and was joined at Oldham by a knitted cat.  At times, the set is in danger of stealing the show due to its brilliance.  

This is another gem from Lipservice but in parts, feels like it has more to give and needs a little more focus in Act Two to really be laugh-a-minute.

– Ruth Lovett