SIDE-SPLITTING

A UK boy-band had NZ teens in a state of constant hysteria a couple of weeks ago, but now a band of four UK comedians is set to have anyone older and with a brain in stitches.

Comedy quartet Idiots of Ants has landed and taken over the Herald Theatre. And if the roars of mirth, the squeals, screams, tears and guffaws from last night's audience are anything to go by, they're worth checking out.

Trust me – they're definitely worth checking out.

Anthony Spiers, Elliott Tiney, Benjamin Wilson and James Wrighton are the Idiots of Ants – as the husband described them last night, "They're like Monty Python's offspring with a dash of Conchords and no fourth wall." We can't think of any other sketch-comedy troupe like them. And we tried.

From the moment we walked into the Herald's slightly claustrophobic theatre, they were on. Literally. They were onstage, in British and German WWII military uniform, shuddering along in a rickety plane on their way to thwart Germany's plans. There they stayed as the theatre filled.

It isn't what I expected. But all is not as it seems. (Although it might have been the only 10-minute block they managed to stay in character for.)

What with an increasingly funny string of technical issues – either the tech person is plagued by jet-lag, or someone has stepped in at the last minute – the show becomes even more side-splitting as the Idiots cope with challenge after challenge. At times it feels as though we've crashed four guys having a laugh, and I for one don't want to be kicked out.

If you like their work on YouTube (e.g. Shotgun!), you'll love what they do on stage. If you never seen them before, you'll love what they do on stage. And if you have a ticket for another night and you can't make it, let me know. I want to go again – just for the subtitles.   
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