The Electric Head is a long-form improv comedy show, powered by a single comedy duo. Al Ronald and Cy Henty are both genre writers; Henty mostly in horror, and Al has worked on everything from Doctor Who to WWE. Their latest show promises to ‘find the meaning of life or go mad trying’. We suspect the result will be the latter, but it’s very funny to watch them try.
Long-form improv can be tricky. You’re reliant on the audience coming up with enough story ideas to make a decent show, but mostly it comes down to raw creative talent and the ability to invent a story (and make it funny) on the spot. Luckily, the pair are both writers who are used to a tight deadline.
It’s worth pointing out that the show is pretty much themed depending on how the audience prompts the pair at the start of the show. The performers ask for some stories and weave them into the act. This means that a show with an audience of goths will be quite different to one filled with a Hen party. Audience participation is minimal; we get a bit at the start, and then our comedians tell their ridiculous tale.
The result is something very akin to Vic and Bob at the height of their silliness, but with a healthy dose of Inside No 9 style weirdness. This is a show deeply steeped in the British Telefantasy tradition, in the sense that it’s dark, warm and very peculiar. Al and Cy are also very funny and don’t shy away from milking a situation or idea for every possible gag and pun they can think of before moving on.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is often highlighted as a way of showcasing talent, and we doubt we’d have seen this show without the Fringe. STARBURST readers are likely to adore this creepy cult comedy show; they are well worth seeking out. Brilliantly weird and weirdly brilliant.
You can book tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe show here and learn more about Electric Head and their future shows here.
