Sleeping Trees at the Movies

• Murray Robertson
• 17 August 2017

This article is from 2017.

credit: Mark Dawson

Nonsensical plot and enjoyable romp around a film genre

Sketch trio (plus musical accompanist) Sleeping Trees perform one of three comedy shows in repertory: a gangster drama, a western and a science-fiction adventure. Tonight it's the third one, a daft pastiche of 70s and 80s sci-fi tropes, most notably Star Wars and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Opening with their strongest sketch, a perfectly synchronised riff on the 'characters saying the same things at the same time' gag, Sleeping Trees burn through their nonsensical plot at an astonishing pace.

Many of the biggest laughs come from the extraordinary vocal dynamism of James Dunnell-Smith, whose bombastic delivery makes him sound like the lovechild of Matt Berry and Brian Blessed (it'll be a miracle if he can keep that up for the whole month). But each member is crucial and they seem to share a preternatural chemistry.

With no props on stage, the trio make ingenious use of their bodies to physically manifest as whatever the plot requires, whether that's doors, spaceships or a ridiculously convoluted gun. There are no outstanding moments of originality but it's an enjoyably inventive show from three very talented performers.

Pleasance Dome, until 28 Aug, 5.30pm, £8–£13 (£7–£12).