Treats for the Soul by Burger and a Pint (made up of Ted Milligan and James Trickey) is a high-energy comedy sketch show that sees the duo transform into a collection of eccentric, over-the-top characters. This non-stop, laugh-a-minute comedy marathon showcases the talents of both performers and injects the perfect amount of joy into everyone in the audience.
The entire show is underpinned by the idea of exploring what masculinity truly means, which is important now more than ever with the rise of toxic masculinity (which you can learn more about by reading our review of No Hard Felix at https://rhysreviews.com/2026/08/29/no-hard-felix-production-review/). Both Ted and James transform into a range of characters that personify different views of what a manly man really is! There is no sequence that amplifies this idea more than a scene where Ted and James become hyper-macho explorers who discover a locked passage to an undiscovered location. In order to gain the glory of discovering this unclaimed land, the characters are encouraged by the trap itself to sacrifice one of the things toxic men pride themselves on most and cut off an intimate organ to open the gate. This is obviously met with uncontrollable giggles from the audience as they portray the decision to cut off their appendage, only for this to be revealed as an unnecessary sacrifice. However, it also shows the lengths some people are willing to go to in order to claim notoriety.
One of the more eccentric characters in this entire show is brought to life by Ted, as he portrays a larger-than-life, highly decorated ventriloquist who has become a little too involved with his creations. As James weaves through the audience to invite them to share a selection of outlandish prepared questions, which had everyone in hysterics throughout, Ted slowly and carefully reveals his personal relationships with the puppets. This is crafted in such a way that the tension builds as the sketch progresses, with Ted becoming more and more unhinged! One of the more political messages in the show, however, rears its head as the duo portray an interview between a World War Two veteran and a contemporary paintball marshal as they compare the traumatic experiences they have both faced. While the careful writing makes sure not to make every character feel too over-the-top or pointed, this sequence highlights not only the idea of respect for those who have fought for the rights we hold today, but also the dramatisation of experiences that some people tend to spread across social media. The closing moments of the show see the duo become intense US cops who are interrogating a wanted criminal (played by a selected person from the audience), but are becoming more and more frustrated due to the lack of a confession as they are forced away from their Chief’s birthday. As they alternate between interrogators and off-stage party-goers, with an array of crazy snapshots into what is going on inside the party, they capture this unique character and setting wonderfully, which is met with fits of laughter from the audience throughout.
In conclusion, Treats for the Soul by Burger and a Pint is an unpredictable yet hilarious sketch show that showcases the talents of both Ted Milligan and James Trickey, while keeping the audience not only on the edge of their seats throughout but also in hysterics. It is painfully obvious that both performers possess fantastic chemistry, both on and off stage (which is really shown in the moments when things don’t totally go to plan), and are able to bounce off each other to create a truly entertaining show!I would rate this show 4 out of 5 stars!
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