The Argus: fringe_2011_logo_red_thumbThe producers of the The Cock and Tail Inn billed the show as Father Ted meets Fools And Horses, which is fine, but Del Boy sipping a Campari and Tizer cocktail with Father Jack wouldn’t make for the most convincing comedy.

The ingredients were all there. Cliched, but all there.

A cockney barmaid, an Irish vicar with more than a few vices, a grotty Brummie, a wimp and his slutty wife, a quirky Indian and posh totty were all decent additives, but slung together carelessly.

The resultant cake was like Victoria sponge with a mincemeat filling.

The Cock and Tail Inn saw a group of pub regulars connive and conspire for the inheritance of “old boy” Spider who suddenly drops dead after eating a pickled egg.

Their quirks played out predictably and slowly until the darkest corners of their respective characters were laid bare. But it just never quite cut the mustard.

Each actor played their part well enough, with the standout performance in Chris Willoughby’s Vince, but they suffered from a limp narrative, which was protracted, labourious and not always very clear.

The start was promising enough, with a decent set, a cast of strong characters alongside some good gags.

But in each half the momentum subsided quickly; with it went the laughs. Not terrible but also not great, the Cock And Tail Inn is worth seeing for the acting if not the story.

* 7.45pm, £10/£8. Call 01273 917272