one4review | On 13, Aug 2026

Police Cops in Space is as silly as the name suggests; its frantic, relentless energy leaves the packed-out theatre rolling with laughter from the moment it starts, and the three actors work tirelessly to keep the jokes coming thick and fast. It’s somewhat of a love letter to classic parodies like the deadpan absurdity of Naked Gun or Airplane, and there were certainly moments I felt it akin to the more recent hyper-stylised 80s retro-trash vibe of Kung Fury. The jokes and visual gags come so fast that even if something doesn’t land, the rapid-fire pacing means you’ve no time to notice before the next three hit.

Police cops are Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson and Tom Roe; a three-man, multi-award-winning, globally acclaimed comedy group from London. They play every single character, which by the end must have been 20+. You would think three men populating an entire sci-fi universe would be difficult, but somehow the chaos of the character and costume swaps only adds to the frantic comedy on stage. Nothing seems off limits, and if they have to get down to a thong and nothing else for a joke, they will and do! Even when some changes seem almost too fast, and costumes are slightly off, this only adds to the joy, and any fourth wall breaks get a raucous reply in gleeful laughter from the audience.

The budget isn’t exactly the selling point, as they make clever use of everyday props and costume choices to bring the world alive; the neon yoyos for a Tronish bike got a brilliant cheer, and this DIY aesthetic enhances the comedy mayhem. There were a few moments where it felt like seeing the original 2017 run would have only added to this show’s experience. I don’t think being a first-timer to this show meant you’d feel at all alienated, get it?

If you’ve never seen Police Cops, I’d recommend starting there; that’s not to say that this show isn’t just as good, but you’ll get a much fuller experience by treating this show as Police Cops 2: Police Cops in Space. This is a must-see for fans of the Fringe and anyone craving pure, unfiltered, rapid-fire comedy, with undeniable talent.

*****
Reviewed by Matthew
Assembly Roxy
Until 30 August (not 19)
19.50 (1 hour)