Review: Burger and a Pint – Treats for the Soul, Fringe 2026

Award-winning sketch duo Burger and a Pint bring their debut full run, Treats for the Soul, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026. Performing at 4:15 pm in the Cellar at Pleasance Courtyard from 5 to 30 August, the pairing of Ted Milligan and James Trickey delivers an energetic hour of clever character work and fast-paced comedy.

Following their win at the Leicester Square Sketch Off 2024, the duo tackle modern masculinity, male friendship, and the awkward transition into late-twenties adulthood. While Edinburgh Reviews previously highlighted James Trickey as “absolutely one to watch” in his solo stand-up outing Split, this two-hander shifts gear entirely into rapid-fire sketch comedy that easily justifies its 4.5-star rating.

Razor-Sharp Chemistry in the Pleasance Cellar

Do not let the promotional poster mislead you. The image of a squished, damp fast-food burger might suggest low effort, but the performance inside the Pleasance Cellar is vibrant, sharp, and inventive. Down in the intimate brick vault beneath the cobblestones of the Pleasance Courtyard, Milligan and Trickey turn the close quarters into an asset, drawing the crowd directly into their offbeat world.

The sketches vary widely in length and tone. Some bits land their punchlines in under sixty seconds, while others build patiently into layered set pieces. Milligan, known for his writing credits on BBC Radio 4’s Dead Ringers and Newsjack, complements Trickey’s physical flair with tight character writing. The pair build subtle continuity throughout the hour, looping recurring jokes back onto themselves to give the whole show a satisfying, cohesive structure.

Seamless Audience Involvement and Warmth

Audience interaction can often feel perilous in a tight Fringe room, but Burger and a Pint handle it with welcoming charm. During a spoof interview with a troubled professional puppeteer, audience members are invited to participate by reading simple prompt cards. It keeps the room engaged and part of the action without putting anyone uncomfortably on the spot.

Beneath the silliness and ridiculous scenarios lies a genuine onstage dynamic forged from years of performing together. Much like the exploration of connection in Trickey’s solo work, this show uses the absurdity of grown men behaving like children to examine male vulnerability and friendship. At 4:15 pm, it provides an ideal late-afternoon tonic in the middle of a busy Fringe schedule.

Overall

Burger and a Pint: Treats for the Soul is a smart, silly, and consistently funny sketch hour that makes brilliant use of its venue. Milligan and Trickey are a formidable double act whose natural chemistry and inventive pacing make this show an easy Edinburgh Fringe recommendation.