Typical. You wait ages for a comedy about the Arab/Israeli conflict then two come along. After mime duo Gecko's dark physical humour, international quintet Conflict Relief offers a more accessible approach, with satirical sketches highlighting the absurdity of two cultures clashing despite having so much in common.
Inconsistent writing reveals the group's inexperience. A wordy UN negotiations skit is too long, other ideas are brisk but aimless. There is a funny Vanilla Ice dance-off by Nour Alkawaja and Adam Elabdaly, though any message passed me by.
Best is Elabdaly's travel agent, offering tourists sights including "historical ruins created last week." TV spoofs such as Land Factor virtually write themselves, yet there is potential here, with confident performances papering over cracks in the material.
This ensemble clearly knows their Hammas from their hummous without taking sides. As sassy chat show host Roberta (Jana Zenadeen) asks: "The Middle East. Whodunnit?" Conflict Relief never answers her question but unearths plenty of laughs.
Until 30 March (thecourtyard.org.uk, 0870 163 0717).
The Arab, The Jew And The Chicken
The Courtyard
Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitfield Street, N1 6EU
