Monster Raving Loony review, Soho Theatre review ★★★★★
Are you being funny? The British sense of humour is a much-celebrated beast, but what happens when you use it to convey sadness, madness... even depression?
Rave new world: satirical commentary from Monster Raving Loony, image Soho Theatre
Monster Raving Loony is the story of Britain's most irreverent political party: the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, founded by Screaming Lord Sutch in 1983. We follow Sutch’s life as he grows up in the aftermath of the war, dreaming of playing in a band and disentangling himself from the apron strings of his suspiciously manly mother.
But Sutch’s story is also the story of Britain, from its post-war optimism to its disillusionment, and playwright James Graham (This House) has told it through a pastiche of British comic styles, from Hi-de-Hi! to ’Allo, ’Allo.
Thus it relies on cast switching between series of great impressions; thankfully they pull it off with aplomb. Joanna Brooke can switch from fabulous Joanna Lumley to Blackadder’s Nursie, to a dopey police officer with ease. If you haven’t wised up on Morecambe and Wise then even the lowbrow humour is going to pass over your head.
The comedy takes some warming up, but somewhere between a choreographed scene-change to the tune of “Right Said Fred” and a Benny Hill Show chase sequence, the play hits its stride with a slapstick bed hop: lovers hidden in wardrobes and a strict landlady - you get the idea.
Provided with a “party bag” of props the audience participates in a spot of Bingo, a raffle and a sing-a-long to the Sex Pistols. The atmosphere’s great. You’ll enthusiastically show support for a party that was never really supported in politics.
But between sketches that get shorter and shorter, there is a space for sadness. As we accelerate through British comedy we know we are accelerating, too, to the end of a life. Lord Sutch committed suicide in 1999 after standing a total of 40 times for his party.
Like a party bag, it’s a mixed offering, with some spot-on sketches and some lead balloons, but it’s a tribute to British comedy all the same.
But Sutch’s story is also the story of Britain, from its post-war optimism to its disillusionment, and playwright James Graham (This House) has told it through a pastiche of British comic styles, from Hi-de-Hi! to ’Allo, ’Allo.
Thus it relies on cast switching between series of great impressions; thankfully they pull it off with aplomb. Joanna Brooke can switch from fabulous Joanna Lumley to Blackadder’s Nursie, to a dopey police officer with ease. If you haven’t wised up on Morecambe and Wise then even the lowbrow humour is going to pass over your head.
The comedy takes some warming up, but somewhere between a choreographed scene-change to the tune of “Right Said Fred” and a Benny Hill Show chase sequence, the play hits its stride with a slapstick bed hop: lovers hidden in wardrobes and a strict landlady - you get the idea.
Provided with a “party bag” of props the audience participates in a spot of Bingo, a raffle and a sing-a-long to the Sex Pistols. The atmosphere’s great. You’ll enthusiastically show support for a party that was never really supported in politics.
But between sketches that get shorter and shorter, there is a space for sadness. As we accelerate through British comedy we know we are accelerating, too, to the end of a life. Lord Sutch committed suicide in 1999 after standing a total of 40 times for his party.
Like a party bag, it’s a mixed offering, with some spot-on sketches and some lead balloons, but it’s a tribute to British comedy all the same.
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| What | Monster Raving Loony review, Soho Theatre review |
| Where | Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3NE | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Tottenham Court Road (underground) |
| When |
14 May 16 – 18 Jun 16, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Price | £10 - £20 |
| Website | Click here to book via the Soho theatre |