The Penny Dreadfuls may have started out in improvisation and made their name in Victorian-themed sketch shows, but right now they are trying something completely different - comedy thriller plays.

With appearances alongside David Walliams and a role in the St Trinian's sequel, Humphrey Ker, David Reed and Thom Tuck haven't been doing too badly for themselves.

The former Edinburgh University students will be returning to the Scottish capital next month with new show The Never Man, but not before getting a couple of final practice sessions in at Battersea Arts Centre in 10 days time.

"It's about a man who wakes up on a mysterious theme park island with no memory of where he is or who he is," says David.

"It's a bit of a departure from our usual Victorian style as this one is a modern day comedy thriller.

"It feels less like sketch comedy and more like a play but I wouldn't call it a play.

"We still have two minute scenes with a punchline at the end, it's not like someone is on stage all the time."

The threepiece's stock has been rising steadily over the last four years, with a Radio Four play about Guy Fawkes set to be aired on Bonfire day and an appearance by Humphrey in the new St Trinian's film, albeit only a small one.

"He plays someone who wears a mask throughout his one line and then gets headbutted in the groin by a girl," says David.

"It's a hardly a breakthrough role for us but, you know, it's a start."

David, who also plays the drums, has had some success of his own on screen too.

"I played Peter Cook in the BBC's Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me," he recalls.

"It was an incredibly surreal morning where I was awake at 5am to go into costume and make up where I met David Walliams and then we did one take from each angle and I was back home by 9am.

"David was an absolutely lovely man, very nice.

"He's enormous though and has very big hands."

The Penny Dreadfuls, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, July 23 and 24, 8pm, £6. Call 020 7223 2223 or visit bac.org.uk.