‘Sock Puppet’ is horror comedy done right, in that it manages to successfully join both genres. In the vein of Roger Corman B-Movies (Little Shop of Horrors, Bucket of Blood), the story is a twisted and enthralling retelling of the ‘Faustian myth’, only the hero sells his soul to a malignant haunted sock. John-Luke Roberts holds the show alone, transporting the audience away from the Pleasance cellar to murky houses and awkward house parties. His characterisation with the sock is so brilliant it’s less a gimmick and more a stripped down, back to basics ventriloquism act. Though occasionally a little too silly, ‘Sock Puppet’ is highly entertaining, managing to be both thoroughly creepy and thoroughly tongue in cheek. Think ‘Evil Dead 2’.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 Aug (not 13), 2.10pm.
tw rating 4/5 [Julian Joseph]