Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Police Cops: The Original

 
Ross Anthony Review by Ross Anthony 5 Published: 19 Aug 2025 Assembly George Square Show Dates: 12 Aug 2025-25 Aug 2025

Police Cops is a three-man show built on a bedrock of nostalgic laughs, with a dizzying array of props held together by the comedic chops of performers who own every inch of the stage from the moment they take to it. The trio are amazingly inventive, have comic timing down to the millisecond, and know exactly when to go over the top – as well as occasionally shrug carelessly and gloss over something that shouldn’t make sense.

Camp tribute to all the classic action movies of the 80s and 90s

Usually I come in here and compliment seamless technicals that augment an already excellent show. Police Cops is the sort of production where you can see all the seams, tape and frantic energy holding it together – and it only adds to the whole experience. You will belly laugh, snort, giggle and utterly lose your mind at this camp tribute to all the classic (sometimes terrible) action movies of the 80s and 90s. Right down to the facial hair on show. Going through good effects to bad effects and then coming out the other side slickly into good effects that look sort of bad takes a certain brand of genius I really admire.

An early moment includes the “Uncle Ben tragic death character development” of almost every inexplicably ripped protagonist from these decades. It has all the staples: corny language and morality, a mysterious murderer, “heartfelt” and overacted dialogue. More importantly, though, the show comes right out and tells you what to expect with the soon-to-be-departed observing: “It’s snowing, Johnson.” before the third member of the cast walks past quickly to scatter white paper cuttings over them. The crowd howls, the lights shift, and the performers smirk because they know they’ve got you in the palm of their hand.

Buckle in, because this is the formula for the rest of the show. Constant laughter, 80s dialogue and witty asides as two of the trio play out a scene while the third rolls out fitting “effects”. The genius is that it’s almost the opposite of spectacle – but it really works. The whole performance is tight, like a well-tuned muscle car thrumming with energy provided by the cast and fed back to them wholeheartedly by the crowd.

If you are a fan of 80s and 90s action flicks – or really not a fan – this is the show for you. You will get the references. I cackled at the self-aware depiction of the grizzled old cop, the plucky young buck out to become the Best Police Cop Ever, and the dubiously international villain. It’s so on the nose and so knowingly winking at the audience that you can’t help but love every minute. There isn’t an ounce of slack in the show. It keeps a steady cadence of laughter running through the whole performance.

They even manage to make a meta joke about a cash grab after ten years – like all the best serial action movies. Magnificent.

Related to this article:

Location:

Performances

The Blurb:

The multi award-winning comedy blockbuster returns! Globally acclaimed Police Cops celebrate their 10th anniversary by bringing back the show that started it all: the original Police Cops! Reloaded and supercharged for 2025 – expect adrenaline-fuelled physical comedy, 80s bangers and uncompromising facial hair. Winner: Stage Award for Acting Excellence. Winner: Best Show, Toronto Fringe. Winner: Best International Show, Cape Town Fringe. Winner: Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence. Winner: VAULT Festival People's Choice Award. ***** (WhatsOnStage.com). ***** (EdFestMag.com). ***** (Stage). ***** (TheatreWeekly.com). 'It takes brains to be this dumb!' (Stewart Lee).