Set in a quaint English town where preparations for an afternoon tea party are being upset by vicious murders, He Had Hairy Hands has the aesthetic of a 1970s buddy-cop TV show, combined with a werewolf-centred Hammer Horror.

Writer/performers David Cumming, Natasha Hodgson, Oliver Jones and Zoe Roberts, met at Warwick University and started writing and performing together because of their shared adoration for The League Of Gentlemen, Nighty Night, The Mighty Boosh, and other surreal, dark and playful British comedy. Together they formed Kill the Beast which has become a critically acclaimed theatre company.

Although this is only their second show as a company, He Had Hairy Hands is relentless, fast paced, and disturbingly funny. Directed by Clem Garritty (who also co-writes), this is an hour and 10 minute long roller-coaster ride of playful but clearly grotesque hilarity. The story follows a pathologist, a local constable, the mayor and the incongruous supernatural aficionado Eglantine Whitechapel who are all trying to work out who the bloodthirsty killer is. Zoe Roberts is superb as Whitechapel, simultaneously enigmatic and hilarious. All four actors play a number of roles, changing costumes and gender at high speed throughout, portraying memorable and diverse roles; from older eccentric women to backstreet abortionists, dancing sailors to members of the local town's bunting committee. Cumming, Hodgson, Jones and Roberts make the speedy transitions seem effortless - an incredible feat. Costumes and sets are simple but effective throughout - creative use of leashes and chords tie much together from phone conversations, midnight walks, and even prison torture.

The cast received a resounding applause, and chimes of 'incredible' and 'astounding' could be heard as everyone filled out into the crisp night. If you like plot twisting, fast-paced character comedy, exceptional performances, and astonishing humour, go and see He Had Hairy Hands.