Hilarious, Wacky, and Delightfully Unpolished: Reviewing 'Police Cops in Space'

★★★★★ | As a dedicated fan of the Police Cops universe, I have seen Police Cops The Musical [redacted] times and travelled to Brighton Fringe to catch Badass Be Thy Name, I couldn't wait to see what the creative – but slightly insane – minds behind these shows had in store with Police Cops in Space. True to form, this latest installment delivers the same unhinged, off-the-wall humour that fans love, but now in the form of an unapologetically ridiculous sci-fi romp.

After his father is killed by an evil robot, Sammy Johnson, the last Police Cop in the universe, teams up with an alien fighter pilot and a trusty cyborg to embark on a quest across the galaxy to find Earth and avenge his father. What subsequently unfolds is an unabashed embrace of 80s sci-fi tropes, wrapped in a low-fi aesthetic that perfectly suits its comedic, fringe-y tone.

Police Cops In Space. Photo Credit: Adam Bottomeley

Written and performed by Zachary Hunt, Nathan Parkinson, and Tom Roe, Police Cops in Space is the kind of show that embodies the spirit of fringe theatre: wacky, inventive, unpredictable, and delightfully entertaining. Despite being a low-budget production, it delivers a high-energy performance that gets audiences laughing from start to finish. Undergirded by an absurd plot, the show’s humour is a mix of slapstick, funny wordplay, and familiar references to beloved 80s films and TV shows.

Where this show truly shines is in its moments of improv, which are scattered throughout the performance. These spontaneous bursts of creativity allow the cast to invent lines on the spot, leading the rest of the ensemble in hilarious and unpredictable performances. While we’ve seen this kind of improvisational brilliance in Police Cops The Musical, it’s taken to new heights here. The freedom to riff and adapt in real-time showcases the cast's sharp wit and their remarkable talent for crafting impromptu jokes, lines, and even songs.

This dynamic approach ensures that no two performances are ever exactly the same, and it’s one of the many reasons why audiences, including myself, eagerly return again and again to see what might happen on stage this time. The real magic of Police Cops in Space lies in its fearless embrace of the unpolished and the outrageous.

The company of Police Cops In Space. Photo Credit: Adam Bottomeley

The DNA of this show’s charm is its chaotic energy and commitment to delivering laughs above all else. The cast’s multi-rolling is a highlight, with each actor juggling multiple characters and personas with reckless abandon. The minimalist set and props are used to great effect, with clever use of backing tracks and sound effects adding to the show’s quirky DIY aesthetic. The result is a show that feels raw and unrefined in the best possible way – a piece of theatre that’s all about the joy of performance and the thrill of making people laugh.

Police Cops in Space knows exactly what it wants to be: a funny, wacky, and thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi spoof. Its success lies in its simplicity and the sheer commitment of its cast. It highlights everything I’ve come to love about this group’s work: their wit, their creativity, and their unwavering commitment to making audiences laugh. If you’re looking for a night of laughter and nostalgic fun, this is not to be missed.

If you’re already a fan, this show will only deepen your appreciation of the trio's ingenuity. If you’re new to the world of Police Cops, then buckle up! You’re in for one hell of a ride.

★★★★★

Police Cops in Space is playing at Underbelly Festival in Cavendish Square.