Players Theatre

The difference between a sketch show and a play, as the comedy group Diet of Worms here discover, is simply a matter of plot. You can have all the comic characters you want, but they need something to do, some urgency in doing it, and an obstacle or several in their way. But while director Clare McQuaid’s production has all the right ingredients, it hasn’t come up with a recipe.

A near-bankrupt west-Dublin chancer awaits the council election results that may reverse his fortunes, desperately concealing his dodgy dealings with a corrupt property developer pal from his gaudily materialistic wife (not to mention all mention of the global recession). Naturally, there’s a surprise visitor, bringing only minor complications. Otherwise, the show just kills time. It’s a farce without chaos, a joke in search of punchline.

It wouldn’t be so disappointing if this group didn’t have clear talent, their wickedly well-observed mock radio broadcasts more effectively lampooning the community and the nation. With some tighter scripting and more frequent gags, that could well be their medium.

Runs until Saturday

**