Location: Pleasance
Time: 21.45
Price: £9 (£8) or £10 (£9) on weekends

 Near enough an hour of mime, selling out, being enjoyed by everyone…welcome to the world of Men In Coats.

Obviously having the success they have (winners of best comedy act at the Hackney Empire) Edinburgh is the next step on the ladder to fame, and judging by the publics thoughts of this show and the buzz surrounding it, that stardom is getting closer.

 The Men In Coats are just that, two men in blue tracksuit bottoms and parka coats, yes like in East Is East before you ask. They have managed to find a little niche, which suits Edinburgh perfectly, mime. The amount of tourists from around the globe that descend on Edinburgh obviously can all enjoy this, age, dialect, it makes no difference in any country this is funny.

 Now its not side splitting comedy by any means, but its funny and above anything a sheer pleasure and a joy to watch. The mimed antics of the Men In Coats in their tiny set of two windows and lots of black cloth allow you sit, laugh, be amazed and above all, stay smiling for a whole hour.

 The tricks, stunts, whatever you want to call them are created with such dexterity that you just don’t want to bother to think about how they are done. They come at you thick and fast, never stopping. From balloon heads, to shrinking people, to stretching body parts, and ending up at flying men, each little stunt lasts for just the right amount of time before the Men In Coats run into the next one.

 The soundtrack complements each scene perfectly, although has some slightly dubious editing in it. The small break in the middle was a bit too long and had a few too many silent moments, but you can allow these guys a small gap to sit and rest, and of course they are still doing their stuff.

 It’s extremely difficult to describe and I think the best way to do that is to say, buy a ticket and go and see it! You won’t be disappointed I’m sure. Laugh a minute it isn’t but enjoy a second it is.

 

4 OUT OF 5