Darlington Hippodrome – until Saturday 29 July 2023
4****
From his birth to his deathbed confession, we follow the life of Anthony “Call me Tony” Blair, from his man crush on Mick Jaggers (yes he does refer to him like that), his university days, meeting Cherie and becoming Prime Minister – we see it all through the eyes of writers Harry Hill and Steve Brown and it is BONKERS!
Jack Whittle leads the cast in the titular role of Tony, with his perma-smile and pointing thumbs. His cheeks must be agony by the end of the show. But it’s Howard Samuels who steals the show as Lord Peter “Call me Mandy” Mandelson (and also Dick Chaney and Alastair Campbell). Phil Sealey is excellent as Gordon Brown, wanting to be Prime Minister until he actually becomes Prime Minister and he’s hysterical in the second half when he sings “I Never Done Anything Wrong” as Saddam Hussein. Rosie Strobell is punch happy as John Prescott but laugh-out-loud funny as one of the Gallagher brothers singing about New Labour and as Osama Bin Laden singing “Kill the Infidel”. The People’s Princess, Diana (Emma Jay Thomas), makes an appearance both before and unexpectedly after her death. We also meet Robin Cook (Sally Cheng), Neil Kinnock (Martin Johnston) and William Hazel fills all the other roles. But we can’t have Tony without Cherie and Tori Burgess is hilarious in a curly wig with a thick scouse accent.
The band (Tiara Litvack, Toby Morgan and Harry Brent) are on stage throughout as the Rock Opera evolves. Libby Watsons set is plain but effective and the cast wear suits with red ties and socks throughout. Peter Rowe has directed a total farce, even if it is a bit heavy on the smoke machine at times.
If Harry Hill’s humour appeals to you, then you will love this. It has the essence of a fringe show and it is appearing in Edinburgh in August. But if you too want to spend the rest of the night singing along to “The Whole WIde World is run by Assholes” and laughing until your sides ache and you have a grin stuck to your face like Tony, then this is the show for you. A word of warning – don’t sit in the front row!!!