Phil Ellis is back with his award-winning lunacy, ten years after winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize with his original Funz and Gamez show. Continuing that original flavour of mayhem, ostensibly for kids but really with plenty of whip-sharp jokes that fly over their heads and under their radars, there’s loads of fun, games, prizes and audience interaction that frequently tips into audience participation. He’s dodging, he’s swerving, he’s handing out sweets and dressed as a pirate whilst singing a song.
Our host is joined by comics Huge Davis and Katie Pritchard, as the Orphan Wizard and Fairy Godmother, to complete a trio of team captains. The show is loose, with a structure that allows off piste adventuring with deeply fun results.
Having the kids fill up the front rows with their respective adults further back is a neat trick, edging the youngsters into their own semi-independent anarchy. There’s a willingness to play with kids’ reactions that is downright delightful and is only reigned in with the aid of a water gun and the promise of more candy.
Ellis is so leftfield he’s got a whole arable farm on the side, but he always keeps great fun at the heart of all his efforts. Funz and Gamez rebootz mixes children’s punchlines with adult asides – ambushing sensibilities repeatedly, to make this a deeply enjoyable show with the spirit of Peter Pan for all ages.
Funz and Games rebootz
Monkey Barrel 4 at Monkey Barrel Comedy, 12.45, 1-10 August
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/funz-and-gamez-rebootz
