Based on the war memoirs of comedian Spike Milligan, this production attempts to replicate his somewhat haphazard humour.
Placing the story in an army revue setting, it brings together jazz music, song, slapstick, pathos, irony and just plain silliness.
But this level of zany humour and quick change scenes only works in the hands of a genius – instead this Tim Carroll production just feels disjointed.
There is no doubting the musical and acting talents of the cast of five but their comic delivery is wasted in meaningless japes which fail to take the production forwards.
With a lack of character development, when the jokes turn sour and Milligan is mentally shattered by the bombing it is difficult to connect with the tragedy. The entire show feels like a missed opportunity to take us into the mind of this tortured comedian.
Until March 13
Rating: 2/5
