The idea of "visual comedy" is enough to make many right-thinking individuals baulk in fear. Just think of the splitting pain you felt last time you saw Marcel Marceau. Remember the feelings of hate and violence that welled up inside as you witnessed a flouncing "street artist" conning tips out of Japanese tourists.

Understandable then, that the idea of two people in oversize coats in a silent stage show took a while to catch on.

Yet Men in Coats - former workaday actors Mick Dow and Maddy Sparham - set about rescuing the concept with admirable persistence. After ages just trying to get a gig they got themselves both a cult following and The Hackney Empire Best New Act Award, 2001.

Then it was off to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2002. A selection of lightning quick visual gags drew on cultural references as diverse as the Rocky films and the schoolboy fascination with gore. Critical acclaim was generous and the weight of Monsieur Marceau seemed to lift from the shoulders of an entire genre.