Snuff Box

Snuff Box is a British dark comedy television series that was first aired on BBC Three in 2006. The show is a unique blend of contemporary humour and traditional heritage, with dark and edgy takes on classic sketch comedy. The series features six half-hour episodes, each of which showcases the darkly comical spectrum of human experience in a way that is as strange as it is hilarious.

The show is largely sustained by the charismatic chemistry of its two primary protagonists. Snuff Box is written by and stars Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher, who met on the set of "The Mighty Boosh" and combined their vast comedic talents to create this unique and innovative series. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable and is a major driving force of the show's narrative, humour and appeal.

Matt Berry plays a British hangman ("High Executioner to the King of England"), while Rich Fulcher is his American assistant. The two characters, who are also flatmates, constitute the “snuff box” – a term that is also a euphemism for a coffin, which is particularly fitting given their morbid profession. Together, they guide the audience through a kaleidoscope of farcical, surreal, and often macabre situations that revolve around topics of love, life, and death.

What sets the show apart is its distinctly offbeat comedic tone. The humour in Snuff Box is dark, edgy, absurd, and often pushes boundaries. One minute the show might be indulging in a slapstick-style physical comedy, the next it might shift gears to a grim sequence where our heroes' perform their duties as executioners. This rapidly changing comedic style makes Snuff Box unpredictable and engaging.

The story is mostly told through a combination of short, non-linear sketches interspersed with moments where the protagonists break the fourth wall. Additionally, the episodes are punctuated with surreal musical numbers that feature Berry and Fulcher's musical talents, adding an extra layer of eccentricity to the show. Despite these seemingly disparate elements, each episode maintains a fluidity that seamlessly carries the viewer from sketch to sketch.

Moreover, Snuff Box boasts an eclectic mix of minor characters that add to the show's uniqueness immensely. These supporting characters, combined with the duo's often absurd adventures, results in a series full of unpredictable twists and turns that maintain a high level of entertainment throughout the course of six episodes.

Visually, the filming is stylistically fresh with a kooky design sensibility that perfectly echoes the show's offbeat comedic tone. The show incorporates a range of locations, from the hangmen's old-timey tavern to contemporary London settings, creating a bizarre contrast that only adds to the dark humour. Similarly, the use of timeless costuming adds a dimension of ambiguity to the show's setting, cementing its place as a series that does not wish to conform to typical conventions.

Beyond the unique visual design, Snuff Box also gains props for its notable original soundtrack, composed by Berry himself. The music varies from catchy pop songs to bluesy numbers, all of which are tuned to the show's strange rhythms. They not only serve as a comedic tool but also as an integral part of the storyline, utilizing both the actors' knack for comedy and their musical talent.

While Snuff Box doesn't shy away from taboo or controversial topics, it addresses these through a darkly comic lens, making the viewing experience simultaneously thought-provoking and hilariously entertaining. Because of its unconventional structure and penchant for the absurd, the series has grown into something of a cult classic.

In summary, Snuff Box is a dark comedy sketch show that blends the conventional with the unconventional and tops it off with a healthy dose of the absurd. Its unique comedic style, innovative narrative structure, and compelling performances by Matt Berry and Rich Fulcher make it a must-watch for fans of British comedy, as well as for those viewers looking for something a bit off the beaten track.