one4review | On 13, Aug 2022

Police Cops: The Musical is VERY, VERY funny. This pastiche on police cop buddy movies and high school musicals starts out strong with some inspired, ‘interpretive dance’ sex, and it only gets sillier from there.

Police Cops are known for their particular brand of slick, aerobic physical comedy. They use minimal props in inventive and witty ways that feels tailored perfectly for the Edinburgh Fringe. 80’s camp is effectively delivered with some choice clothes and flags wafting. Who needs a fan? There is a bar scene set around a legless table which is so brilliantly choreographed it is both a joy to watch and face achingly funny.

This year’s show is their most ambitious yet, with an expanded cast and the added task of tackling the musical genre. There is one truly brilliant and memorable song in the glam rock ‘Now you’re an 80’s Cop’ with a lovely jazz intro of ‘you’re the Cat’s Pajamas’ sung by the one member of the cast who really has singing chops. However there are other less memorable songs that sometimes feel like they are slowing the show down. All of the cast give hilarious and committed performances, though at times it feels like the extra bodies weren’t used enough to really feel the joy of that economy of having to use every part of everyone to create the environment of each scene.

Police Cops are an Edinburgh institution that are a must see.

****

Reviewed by Sarah

Assembly George Square Studios – Studio One

19.00 (1hr 25)

Until 29th Aug (not 17th or 27th)