Promising to answer one of life’s great questions by inventing a new myth, the Silliad is a mythology-inspired improv comedy with such a flexible concept it is surprising it’s taken until now to be done, but The Camden Fringe show delivers on what you think it is, an hour of silly fun.
On entry, the audience was given cards in which we were encouraged to write down a question we had about why the world is the way it is, the example being, ‘Why is the sky blue?’
The question we got, which I still fully don’t understand, was ‘How did the screw get in the tuna?’
A bewildered look passed between those on stage – are there screws in tuna? – told me they weren’t sure either.
But off they went.
The audience was then given a choice between Greek, Norse, or Egyptian mythology to choose from, Egyptian lost the cheer test, and with a voting system more representative than UK democracy, it went to a runoff.
I was sure Norse, the mythology I was cheering for, was the winner, but Greek was chosen.
Finally, we got a location, the caravan park, chosen from what the audience was shouting up at them in true improv style.
I found myself laughing most of the way through: it was quippy, light-hearted, and most importantly, fun.
There was, at times, a slight overreliance on toilet humour.
The Greek septic tank worker, Septos, who emptied tanks into the sea angering the Gods, also the CEO of Southern Water, was very witty.
But, it became slightly childish humour after a while, and I felt myself cringing a bit.
However, it is targeted as a family show, and while this audience didn’t contain any children, at a genuine family show, I’m sure the 10-year-olds would be howling with laughter.
Mythologically it also held up, Zeus appeared throughout as an instigating character – but humorously in swan form – and Minos and the Minotaur (and his brother the Bigotaur) being antagonists felt right.
It did feel satisfying when the reveal of how the eponymous screw got in the tuna, and the answer was just convoluted enough to feel like an actual Greek myth.
Also, shout out to the technician on the lights as well, who pulled off light changes to comedic effect throughout, notable when one of the cast decided they were doing a faux dramatic monologue and the lighting changed to a spotlight without missing a beat.
The cast must also be commended on their stamina, the room inside the London Museum of Comedy was very hot and I was sweating just sitting down, but the cast kept going with high energy like it was nothing.
The sketch show comparison to Horrible Histories is very apt – it’s a charming concept, executed with skill.
If you find them at a fringe festival or venue near you, then I highly recommend going along, and cheering extra loud for Norse mythology for me.
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