The Ornate Johnsons: The Point, Eastleigh

The hugely talented five-strong sketch troupe presents an evening of their unique brand of sketches and songs at The Point, Eastleigh. “The best sketch group since Python.” The Guardian

Richard Dyer

Date published: 18th Oct 2007

The hugely talented five-strong sketch troupe presents an evening of their unique brand of sketches and songs at The Point, Eastleigh. Their show features excerpts from their two-week sell-out residency at London’s renowned Soho Theatre and Brighton Festival award-winning show.

“The best  sketch group since Python.” The Guardian

Their style of comedy commonly likened to that of Not The Nine O’Clock News, The Two Ronnies and Monty Python has earned the group much critical acclaim and an industry favourite reputation: Along with several BBC Radio projects in the pipeline, earlier this year their specially-written Edwardian themed sketch show The Ornate Johnsons’ Edwardian Spectacular was recorded and televised on BBC4.

“Hugely talented slick sketch act. They may not really be particularly decorative, but they are very, very funny.”   Dominic Maxwell, The Times

The Ornate Johnsons first started in 1992. Collaborating with such luminaries as Matt Lucas (of Little Britain), Jo Caulfield and Jerry Sadowitz, and played a significant part in the early 90’s revival of live sketch comedy.

"The Ornate Johnsons tap into that very British anger and dissatisfaction that is at the root of all great comedy, they're incredibly funny and audiences are instantly charmed by them"  Jo Caulfield 

They have run the gamut of writing/performing from sketches and theatre to television and feature film, via radio and musical comedy.  Highlights include writing and performing in Slightly Filthy for Lisa Clark at LWT, a season as head-writers on Live & Kicking (BBC), providing additional material for The People vs. Jerry Sadowitz (Channel 5), penning gags for Basil Brush (Entertainment Rights) and  writing the songs for the 2004 Perrier nominated show Joanna Neary is Not Feeling Herself; as head sketch-writers and performers on It’s That Jo Caulfield Again for two series (Radio 4), The Day the Music Died (Radio 2),The Ornate Johnsons Radio Show (Paul Spencer) and writing an original screenplay for Peter Cattaneo, director of The Full Monty. 

“The writing is pin-sharp, the knowing performances effortless and the laughs flow from start to finish” Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard

The Ornate Johnstons Appear at The Point, Eastleigh, Eastleigh on Saturday 3rd November 2007