Okay, so, Norris & Parker, much like the Sirens they named their shows after, are quite mysterious. They sing, they can now offer drama therapy (or one of them can), they can do all the accents, they even have signature black catsuits, so why, oh why do they not have, at the very least, a cult series on one of the less popular streaming platforms?
After a pandemic induced three-year gap Norris & Parker have taken their return to the Fringe as an opportunity to showcase their newfound skills. Parker has qualified in drama therapy, Norris has written a play, The Lighthouse, from which we get to see various scenes from and shows the pair at their best.
What is The Lighthouse about? I can’t say, because I don’t know and it’s possible nor does Norris. It does centre around a pig ingénue who is a virgin, called Veronica Ham played by Parker and Gillian McKeith. Don’t get distracted by the ridiculous accents, wigs, and dance moves from Uncle Noncey, The Lighthouse contains some of the best gags in the show, some of which get lost in the whirlwind of curls and pig ears.
Sirens is just as weird and full of faux rivalry between the comedy pair as their other shows but it isn’t quite as dark, perhaps due to the therapy. Or, going by the fond reminisences the pair share of trips to the Tai Wu as students in Manchester (a place that, when I was a student in Manchester, my friend Aimee and I went to and used her only-for-emergencies credit card when the bill came, it was not an emergency) Norris & Parker are simply feeling a bit more sentimental than usual. Eitherway, it’s great to have them back.
★★★★
Norris & Parker are at Monkey Barrel 4 at 21:15 until 28th August. For tickets visit EdFringe.com.