There are lots of different ways to make fun of movies, and over at Starburst Towers, we’ve seen them all. Regardless of the method used, however, the main thing you actually need is a lot of love for the source material. Otherwise, the humour simply doesn’t work.

So believe us when we say that theatre company Recent Cutbacks must really, really love Peter Jackson’s fantasy classic, The Fellowship of the Ring. This show is a re-enactment of sorts of the first Lord of The Rings film, using physical comedy, props and some really well-timed foley-style sound effects to tell the audience what’s going on. When the show opens with three nerds in darkness recreating the elf-driven prologue, whispers and all, you know you’re in for a good time.

Through a careful use of props, mime and a fair bit of time with the performers on their knees (because hobbits are short),  the team gets through this incredibly dense film extremely quickly, with no noticeable gaps in the storytelling. The iconic ‘formation of the fellowship’ scene is both incredibly well-done and extremely silly, and there are so many gags in this show that if you blink, you might miss one. And yes, there’s a brilliant bit about the eagles. If you know, you know.

Fly You Fools is incredible feat of performance to squeeze a famously long movie into less than an hour, and still make it funny. This is clever, lo-fi special effects fun that would make any 80’s Doctor Who production proud, and it is used for great comic effect.  Chaotic, clever and very funny, if you only have time to see one movie parody this year, make it this one.

Fly You Fools is the show that everybody at the fringe is Tolkien about. It is fantasy genius, and a must-see for anyone who’s handled a ring and wanted to turn invisible. Fabulous Frodo Fueled Fun.

You can catch the show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe here, and find out more about future shows here.