One does not simply walk into the Pleasance, buy a ticket for Fly, You Fools! and watch a brilliant parody. Or do they? Well, yes, they probably do. Although, if you can arrange a giant eagle, that might be even quicker.
Recent Cutbacks lovingly absurd retelling of The Fellowship of the Ring manages to cram an entire epic into a single, glorious, hour of physical comedy, shadow play, live Foley, and a flurry of blink and you miss them references. This is the sort of show that rewards a second viewing, there are so many visual and verbal easter eggs for Tolkien fans that you will spot new gags each time.
The cast of three, Nick Abeel, Kyle Schaefer, and Regan Sims, handle an impossible number of roles with effortless dexterity. Gandalf, played full height while everyone else shuffles about on their knees for the hobbit scenes, is a visual running joke that never wears thin. The voice work for Gandalf, in particular, is pitch perfect, sonorous, wry, and steeped in gravitas even as the rest of the stage is gleefully unravelling into comic chaos. Then there is Gimli, the hilariously crouching, indefatigable dwarf, another running joke and a constant delight.
The production’s shadow play sequences are a highlight, transforming a simple screen into a playground of storytelling magic. And then there is the kitchen, yes, the tiny, imaginary kitchen. Just as in their Jurassic Park parody, the cast find inventive ways to inhabit and navigate this miniature domestic space, with the Foley artist brewing up comedy gold in the form of coffee making noises, unscrewing jars, dropping cutlery, you get the idea.
Speaking of Foley, Kelly Robinson’s on and off stage sound wizardry adds a whole other layer of delight. From sword swishes to creaking doors, her timing is impeccable, and her occasional appearances in the action are seamlessly folded into the chaos. Foley at the Fringe is not common, and this is an especially good example of how it can elevate a show beyond clever parody into something that feels handcrafted and utterly alive.
The pace is relentless, in a good way, and the company’s affection for their source material shines through every gag. As I told the cast on the way out, I am already looking forward to the “second book” next year. If they can pull that off with the same energy and invention, it is going to be quite a ride.
Inventive, fast paced, packed with laughs, and performed with genuine love for the world it spoofs. Do not walk into the Pleasance for this one, run. Or fly
15:10 Daily (except 18th) Till 25th August
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/2025FLYYOUF
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 15th August 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Running time – 1hr
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