Salisbury Playhouse – until 8 September 2018
Reviewed By Jo Gordon
5*****
I hold my hands up in admittance to not really having much knowledge when it comes to The Goon Show. However, I am aware of the three very funny men that are Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. On mentioning the show to older friends and family many a quote and chortling began to head my way and great intrigue into how a radio show would be portrayed upon the stage ….. I was not left disappointed!
The Apollo Theatre Company have produced an absolute gem in the stage version of The Goon Show. A very simple but effective set that shows behind the scenes of the BBC radio broadcasting’s that ran from 1951 to 1960 right down to the ON AIR sign. Julian Howard McDowell (Peter Sellers), Colin Elmer (Spike Milligan), Clive Greenwood (Harry Secombe) and their announcer Tom Capper (Wallace Greenslade) bring to life original scripts from the radio show in the style of The Goons and much hilarity ensues. Colin is on the mark with his Spike , full of boundless energy, silly voices and mischief alongside Julian’s cool, dry Sellers and Clive’s jolly Secombe. Not only do we get to enjoy surreal characters like Neddie Seagoon, Bluebottle and Eccles we also get to hear the wonderful singing voices of Rachel Davies and Anthony Coote and their very clever use of sound props.
A fully deserved five star show where I left being the Goons newest fan and laughed so much my face ached!