REVIEW: Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! 4-8th June 2024

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening!

Writers of the BAFTA® and EMMY® Award-winning TV comedy, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, reunite for a stage adaptation of DROP THE DEAD DONKEY:THE REAWAKENING! What timing with plenty of 'news' to broadcast and argue over.

 

 

Thirty years since the launch of the C4 series (1990-98), the GlobeLink News team are reunited at Truth News and no doubt have had their scripts updated since the start of the tour six months ago! We 'met' original cast members Jeff Rawle, Ingrid Lacey, Neil Pearson, Robert Duncan, Stephen Tompkinson, Susannah Doyle and Victoria Wicks who each had their entrance rewarded with warm applause. Despite not knowing the series too well, my political/news obsessed teen (yes there were a few young audience members) and I really enjoyed the jokes, references and banter between the characters - some changed and others not so much. Each had their moments on stage, namely flustered 'editor' George with his stories, 'fair' Helen with her moment of defiance and CEO Gus' increasingly amusing explanations for various words. It was great to see Dimbles return and having original cast members gave it a 'True' sense of time moving on. There were two new characters in Rita the weather reporter and investigator Mairead who were, intentionally or unintentionally, clearly on the outside of the group and suitably played their very differing roles.

 

 

The modern world of news reporting was ridiculed with the reality of 24/7 access, fake news and with various politicians, countries, royals and news stories mentioned, keeping it funny and current. A big hit was Sir Trevor McDonald's cameo which gives the play an unexpected news endorsement and humour. There was good use of props and the screen to emphasise how social media is interactive with immediate public opinions on both the news and its presenters. Some of the actors were theatrically loud, even for stage acting, with Neil Pearson seeming the most natural, and although the underlying plot seemed more for holding the character storylines and jokes together than of high importance, it was an obvious but pleasing ending.

 

The final news desk scene was very effective with a good balance of sound, lighting, characters and plot, bringing the whole piece together. Without spoilers, our favourite moments were "the most hated man in Britain", the 'spare spot on I'm a Celebrity' and Sally Smedley's pronunciation of the Chinese president. You'll have to go to find out what I mean if you don't know already!
On until Saturday at Everymantheatre.org.uk.Drop-the-dead-donkey-the-reawakening and the tour continues.

Click HERE for more information and tickets for Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening!

Review by Tracy

 

More details about REVIEW: Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! 4-8th June 2024 (External Link)

 

The Mystery Reviewer

See all listings from The Mystery Reviewer

Newsletter
To sign up up for www.glos.info weekly newsletter, please click here.

Please mention www.glos.info when contacting this advertiser.