I thought I'd filed my last Edinburgh Fringe review for 2022 but then earlier today I saw a story about a statue of Bobby Ball being unveiled. Which reminded me about double act Shelf. If the world is waiting for a queer Cannon and Ball, wait no longer, Shelf have arrived.

Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde have been friends since they were kids. In fact, as they are quick to mention, they still look like kids now, even though they are well into their twenties. Ruby is the musician in the duo, a laid back figure with a boyish haircut who strums a number of catchy tunes.

But while Ruby is the cool one, Rachel is the comic powerhouse of the twosome, a curly whirlwind who never really shuts up. Even when she is bursting with so much energy that it felt as if she was unwittingly pulling focus. It was about twenty minutes into the show that I twigged who she reminded me of. Bobby Ball. Albeit minus the braces.

There are other differences too. As the show goes on Ruby and Rachel tell us about their life so far. Ruby used to be more conventionallly feminine – and has the pictures to prove it – but chopped her hair off and radically reinvented herself.

Rachel, meanwhile, certainly had an interesting upbringing. Both her parents – male father, female mother – are gay, but somehow in circumstances that you'll have to see the show to discover, they had a child. It's no surprise that Rachel feels special in some way. Maybe even a bit of a messiah.

While their material is often about gender and sexuality this feels like a very inclusive show that anyone who likes comedy will enjoy. Even if you don't directly relate to the issues they've encountered when using public toilets or the awkwardness when people have assumed that they are a couple you'll still find their delivery and their dynamic highly entertaining.  

The combination of such contrasing personalities makes them a classic double act but with, as they say, a twist. A fast-paced and funny debut from a duo well worth keeping tabs on. Who knows, maybe they will put up a statue of Rachel one day too.  

four stars