Comic Brit trio a joy to watch

POLICE COPS by the Pretend Men, at Victoria Theatre until Saturday.

WE’VE been spoilt for choice with comedy and physical theatre at the National Arts Festival over the years. Just think of a long-running success such as the Raiders of the Lost Aardvark from Nicholas Ellenbogen and Theatre for Africa, or any of the Buckland productions. Then there is Rob van Vuuren, Ash and Brad Searle, and more.

These visitors have big shoes to fill, but the three Brits spring into action and deliver the comedy goods.

They don’t play “bobbies on the beat”, however, but a Starsky & Hutch type straight out of the ’70s, with a horrible fashion sense and facial hair to match.

(Just asking, but why do so many policemen sport a moustache?)

The setting is in a gung-ho US which, with its send-up of rampant allegiance to the US flag, is what gives many of the laughs.

There is rookie Jimmy Johnson (Zachary Hunt), his grizzled old partner Harrison (Tom Roe) and the dodgy station commander Officer Malloy (Nathan Parkinson).

All three are brilliant, but Hunt in particular is an athletic maestro.

They play a multitude of parts over and above the main characters with rapid costume changes and much baring of chests, played tongue-in-cheek with a nod to the Village People.

There seemed to be a few sound glitches on opening day last week but that did not dampen the fun. Corpsing and improv also add to the joyride as the cops set out to catch the crooks.

So, are the high expectations that “overseas” acts will be good, met?

Yes most definitely, this athletic comic trio have cracked the case.

Buckle up for the ride and book soon because this imaginative little piece has sold out almost wherever it has played and is super fun.