Highly Sus is a panel show hosted by former high-flying lawyer (and later convicted cocaine dealer) Andrew Fraser. The panel is comprised of a barrister, a journalist and an ex-policeman, and their job is to listen to a balaclava-clad “witness” tell a very tall tale and then decide whether he’s ‘legit’ or ‘highly sus’. Fraser also questions various audience members as to their opinions before the witness is unmasked and his identity finally revealed.

Trying to guess who’s telling the truth and who’s lying is great fun, and the anecdotes – culled from stories Fraser has gathered throughout his less than salubrious life – are compelling stuff. The theatre is big, the set looks good, and everyone on stage seems to be having fun. But unfortunately, Highly Sus suffers from a lack of theatricality. While all three panellists have certainly dealt with the public before, that doesn’t make them performers. A competent and energetic host could have easily glossed over that, but Fraser’s leaden pace makes for a lifeless atmosphere. His introduction was long, awkward and drew few laughs from the audience, while his conclusion (an earnest little homily on the subject of perseverance in the face of adversity) was completely out of place. Also, the constant flogging of merchandise (books, T-shirts and CDs) by all and sundry was extremely tiresome.

Perhaps the main problem of the show is its balance of reality and fiction. The witnesses and their fascinating stories strike the balance perfectly, but the panellists and hosts are a little too real to be entertaining. Further fictionalised and dramatised, Highly Sus could be a winner.

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