Ratbag Comedy – the people behind ‘Ratmageddon’ – stretch the realms of reality with inventive chutzpah that’s a proper joy to behold. Loosely framed around the adventures of two rats – Willy and Nick, played by performing duo MoRo and El from Soho Theatre’s Character Lab – ‘Ratmageddon’ is surreal sketch comedy, crazy adventure, musical side streets, and audience interaction that won’t scare you and ends up feeling like being picked first in junior school games class. It’s clearly fun for them to put on, and that is contagious. Strap in, lock and load, and get your laughing gear primed for this warm and funny time.
Ratmageddon is billed as a work in progress, but the bones of it are pretty much there as a show. Some bits are still not off script with the performance relying on the chemistry of the double act to carry it through. Fortunately that chemistry is there in bucketloads and the ad libs only add to the proceedings.
The writing is fresh, with particular highlights including a judgemental H&M dressing room mirror, harpsichord-backed exposure, and linguistic side-turns concerning hor d’oeuvres and etymology. There’s a glee in the details, adding layers that serve no other purpose than to deeply amuse again and again. It’s sharply penned, with neat new ideas, a few loose ends still finding their way, but the focus so clear in the bits that are totally ready you just know the rest will fall into place given time and working-out space.
It’s a delicious showcase of talent, with details from the “limited costumes and props” that pop with ingenuity, to the musical ability, tech timing, and on cue lights and soundtracks. Ratmageddon is good new fun! And what beats that?
The Actors, 7-8 May 2026, 9pm, £9.50/8.50
