Tinder, TGI Friday’s and haunted houses; Men with Coconuts throws the witty and the wild into a wonderful hour of improv comedy. The team are at the mercy of their audience as they ask for one word to create the string of scenes and scenarios that follow. Mixed with a live score and musical numbers; we race through ridiculous restaurants in Alabama to ghostly theme parks in Melbourne, all from one word. Though the theme is dependant on audience imagination, this group can twist even a seemingly banal topic into a fast and fun hour of brash, British comedy.
A company with true comedic clout
All the players are raring to go at the edge of the stage, as the very first scene unfolds, ready to dive in and build the narrative. Men with Coconuts creates a clever mix of settings, accents and wordplay; keeping the show fresh and the audience laughing. The effortless nature of the dialogue from all players shows an undeniable talent for improv. Most notably, Charles Hindley brings strong harmonies, wickedly funny lyrics and a solid selection of eccentric characters into the mix. Sam Irving also shines in this show, with self-deprecating characters and brilliantly blunt improvised dialogue. The true musical talent in this show is undeniably found by the keyboard, with Colin Bramwell leading the team through ballads, harmonies and crescendos impeccably.
The improv arena has long been a competitive one, with many acts failing to bring flavour among some of the the Fringe favourites. Men with Coconuts is a company with true comedic clout, filled with enough talent to compete with the biggest names in the industry. Though the show changes every night, this Edinburgh based company have a plethora of side projects, which will leave you spoilt for choice, if you’re left wanting more. Whether you’re an improv addict or not, this show is a sure-fire way to kick off your night of at the Fringe.
