REVIEW: 4'S A CROWD, The Fisascoholics at The Hope Theatre 30 Sept – 4 Oct 2025

'laugh-a-minute mayhem' ★★★ ½   

The Fiascoholics are a new comedy theatre troupe formed by Max Burton, Tomi Fry and Todd Bell, having debuted earlier this year at Edinburgh Fringe.  The story revolves around a group of people who are stuck in a bunker during the Apocalypse, most of them having paid a large sum of money for the privilege.  A problem has emerged, as there are five people in the bunker with provisions for only four, who is the uninvited guest? 

The play’s subtitle, ‘ What not to do when stuck in a bunker …’, gives an idea of how it goes, especially as each of the five are very distinctive character types. It really is laugh-a-minute mayhem, with the mainly 20 and 30 something audiences relishing the stereotypes and laughing along with the outrageous comments. The show does seem to owe much to classic television comedy, with types that include, the panicky x-scout master, the posh entitled one, the stagey out of work actor, the slob and the cheeky loud-mouth upstart.  

All the actors give their all in this action filled comedy, but naturally we all have our favourites. Lottie Pearl is exquisite as the snooty Rach. She has immaculate delivery of the throw away casual comments which reveal she is someone who has no financial worries and a huge amount of self-esteem.   It’s a juicily knowing performance with wonderful physicality and Pearl is clearly having a lot of fun with it. This is another delight of the show, with all the actors clearly relishing their roles. 

It's not bad writing either, there are a few nifty observations along with the tropes. What it lacks in originality it makes up for in youthful energy, and you can’t really argue with a room full of infectious laughter. No doubt, best appreciated by the under 40s being let off the leash of social media engagement and actually enjoying being in the company of likeminded individuals.  If The Fiascoholics can keep pulling it off like this, they should do very well indeed. 

4'S A CROWD (OR WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN STUCK IN A BUNKER DURING THE APOCALYPSE)

The Fiascoholics at The Hope Theatre 30 Sept – 4 Oct 2025

Keep in touch with the company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefiascoholics/

Actors:

Max Burton, Lotte Pearl, Lucy Cooper, Todd Bell, Barnaby Evans

Creatives:

Director: Samuel Smithson

Co-Writers: Max Burton, Tomi Fry and Todd Bell