Sardines (‘good chemistry,’ – Beyond the Joke) are a three-person sketch group who met as members of the Bristol Revunions, the University of Bristol’s oldest performing arts society. They were finalists in the 2025 Leicester Square Sketch-Off and their work-in-progress show, In Butter, is on from the 15th-17th August.
So how did you start doing comedy together?
We met as Cecilia, Livvie and Sarah in the University of Bristol sketch comedy society, the Bristol Revunions. We joined the society at different times due to our almost criminal age gap (a couple of years), meaning the three of us never actually performed together. However, we watched each other perform, spent time in the writing room together and loved every opportunity we had to work together in any capacity.
A stonking age later, post-university, we spent one beautiful night together at MOTH club and felt the need for the world to see our genius. We got our act together (literally) and formed the salty trio you know and love today. With our shared love of being slightly above average height, making each other laugh, doing vaguely European accents, and writing characters only a mother could love – we’ve now been painting the town “silly” for almost three years!
What can audiences expect from the show?
Well, I’ll tell you what they can’t expect – no more Rumplebuttplug (RBP), the ruddy PC police threatened us with legal action if we were to keep it in.
But in all seriousness, the audience can expect 30 fingers, 30 toes, 8 eyes, 3 hearts, 4 tonsils, 96 full naturals (teeth) and pure intentions. This show is a compilation show of sketches; a smorgasbord of cultural references and buttery culture. Sondheim fans! Abattoir fans! Fans of fans! Rejoice!
P.S. Show stupid. We smart. How happen?!
What’s the process of putting the show together been like?
Pretty nice. It’s kinda like a giant puzzle – in that you’re stuck with your one friend that acts like a grandma on a rainy afternoon, who won’t let you leave until the final piece is in the right place. Jokes on them, the final piece is you… the audience *mind blown*.
Which sketches are your favourite?
We open the show with a personal favourite of ours, called Sondheim. It sets the tone for the show: chaotic at every turn and embodying the energy we aim to maintain throughout. I think it also conveys the meandering flow that is our approach to writing. We often start from a singular, sometimes simple, premise or joke, and let the riffs take us somewhere new; each building on layers of our own sense of comedy and experience. Finally, ending on something that’s somehow about both men’s mental health, war, and the complete musical stylings of Stephen Sondheim.
The Clown is also a crowd and personal favourite. The spirit of Diana Spencer enters Livvie every night, the spirit of Queenie communes with Sarah, and the spirit of Philip sneaks its way into Cecilia in a way that we’re not happy about. RIP to them all. You know that bit in Scooby Doo (an important creative influence for us) where they all swap bodies? It’s that.
Rumplebuttplug (redacted).
Are there any other sketch groups people should be going to see at the Fringe?
Of course, we must mention our ex-Bristol Revunions brothers, Burger and a Pint: Treats for the Soul.
Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes Em is so beautifully creative and kind and we love her. Really fantastic character comedy – winner winner, king Arthur’s dinner!
Britney: Holy Mackerel! We saw a WIP in London back in July and it was already a brilliant show.
Also a Sketch Off! 2025 finalist, Roger Prick: Sexopolis is a piece of excellent character work.
It’s not a sketch group, but if you want a crash course on blending heartfelt storytelling with sheer laughs per minute, you should see Molly Windust’s play, Rockpools.
Finally, in the spirit of Toothpaste on Toast, what is your Fringe breakfast of choice? And if you’re eating out, is there anywhere in Edinburgh you’d recommend?
On The Roll by the Assembly Gardens. Sarah has formed an unhealthy attachment with these wieners and it’s really the only thing that gets her through the day. She’s limited herself to 1 per day in order to maintain bowel health but, if previous years are anything to go by, this is a battle she will lose. If you see Sarah eating one of those delicious brats during the fringe please don’t judge her. And if you like the show, maybe show your appreciation by buying her one of those delicious dogs.
Livvie’s Edinburgh food reccs (she lives there, yeah, that’s right. We’re long-distance):
- Margot
- Set lunch menu at Stockbridge Eating House
- Pomelo
- Alby’s Big Hot Sandwiches
- Noodles Home
- Her Kitchen (if you ask nicely she might cook you dinner – she is also a chef)
Cecilia can’t have gluten, so her suggestions are just sad.
Sardines: In Butter (WIP) is on at Just The Tonic at Subway (venue 27), 1.50pm, 15-17th August. Tickets here.