Mediaeval parodies have long been a staple of comedy, stage and film, with the tawdry history of the Middle Ages and the arrogance of English royalty ripe subjects for parody. A Kingdom Of Fools joins this tradition with aplomb and silly enthusiasm, drawing heavy inspiration from the likes of British comedy legends, including Monty Python and Blackadder. It’s an unabashedly silly play with visual gags galore and a cast of absurd and memorable characters that feel right out of an 80s BBC sitcom.

Upon the orders of King John, pompous nobleman Sir William Drakeford is tasked with converting a ramshackle tavern into a hunting retreat. Little does he know that the peasantry that keep the place afloat are far more rambunctious, unpredictable and downright idiotic than he could ever anticipate.

The play starts somewhat lethargically. The opening scene is heavy on the dialogue and establishes the antagonisms between the supporting cast of peasants, but it’s light on the pratfalls and farce. It takes a good thirty minutes before a consistent dynamic is established, especially with at least one of the male characters having little to do beyond play the butt of a goat-based prank. But the introduction of Sir Drakeford and his trusted knight, Sir Ashcombe, quickly transforms the dynamic of the cast. The stage is ripe for comic gold, and the banter quickly gains the punch of a quippy Ben Elton screenplay. The visual humour and back-and-forth witticisms are more evenly balanced, especially as the gags get more outrageous and the unhinged antics of the characters get progressively wilder. 

The cast certainly doesn’t fail to live up to the lunacy of the plot. Every actor dedicates themselves fully to bringing the highly physical and exaggerated drama of their characters to life. One character on the poster was noticeably unaccounted for, and I couldn’t help but wonder how the chemistry of the characters would have been altered with his presence. Nonetheless, the present cast does a fantastic job of tying this ball of comic chaos together. Jordan Batten is exquisitely funny as the pompous lord who is ill-equipped to deal with the customs of the common folk. He channels the bratty arrogance of a nobleman typical of a John Cleese role and delivers one deliciously silly barb after another (“timber sucking yokel” was a favourite). Brendan Atkins as Sir Ashton gets the loudest laughs with his awkward yet steadfast personality, his tendency to be outwitted by loose floorboards, and his sweet affection for embroidery. Lachlan Atkins, meanwhile, has the most physically demanding role as Gerd, the delivery man who runs around the stage like a loose firework, upending portraits and everyone’s sensibilities in the process.  

The show ended quite abruptly, which left several in the audience confused as to whether an intermission had been called. It was a strange decision, but it reminded me very much of Monty Python and the Holy Grail's fourth wall-breaking fake-out ending. It seems somewhat appropriate to lean into the absurdity of the surreal and outrageous nature of British comedy, especially with a story that was unlikely ever to have a clean conclusion. And despite its weaknesses, it’s undoubtedly a very good time for all involved. This could easily be the most quotable show of the Fringe with such brand new sentences as “churned up bowls of the underclass” and “I have an intolerance to barley and its kinfolk”.

A Kingdom Of Fools is a love letter to the comic stylings of British farce and tomfoolery. It’s a fun and uproarious piece of period comedy, one that’s sure to delight fans of medieval parody and people who want to see rich snobs make absolute fools of themselves.

**** Four Stars