Wyndham's Theatre
Charing Cross Road, Covent Garden, London WC2H 0DA 0344 482 5151
- Synopsis
- Theatremonkey show opinion
- Reader reviews
- Performance schedule
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WHERE TO BUY TICKETS / "BUY OR AVOID" SEAT GUIDE
Ends 5th April 2025.
Twisted tales and black humour as the cult BBC TV series gets a live outing.
Creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith star and write this new stage show.
Casting details are given for information only. Theatremonkey.com cannot be responsible for the non-appearance of any cast member.
NOTE: A hasty exit is not advisable when you think the production has finished. Wait for the staff to pull the door curtains back, is all the monkey is saying.
(seen at the afternoon performance on 1st February 2025)
As with all television-to-stage transfers, fans of the TV programme in question can stop reading now. You are going to give it 5 stars, no matter what, because it is your favourite programme and you have just seen your favourite TV actors, live, on stage.
Even the monkey has gone there, and has no problem at all with that.
It was particularly delighted this afternoon to hear an audience respond positively to material considered taboo since the “alternative comedy” movement of the 1980s, the hatred of it burnished over recent years by unhelpful terms like “political correctness,” “woke” and “cancel culture.” Whether they were responding ironically or genuinely striking a comedic democratic blow, the laughs were there...
NON-FANS OF THE TELEVISION SHOW CAN READ ON. NOTE: There are no spoilers, as the show asks audiences not to do that. So, the monkey won’t spoil anything.
... Except from this monkey. It lived through that comedy era, loves some of the old material, the silly and clever wordplay stuff, and can do without the racist and misogynistic garbage. Pretty easy to skim off the surface and leave some beautiful reminders of times past, trust it.
Thing is, the good stuff has been done. You cannot charge a West End public as much as this team do, and serve those who are not “in on the joke” something they have heard a million times (and performed far better) and not expect disappointment.
There are a few touching, if predictable, moments in the first half. Some well-acted sequences – with lovely jabs at the pretensions of the recent West End – in the second.
Sadly, twists have all been worked to death over many years on stage, television and film, and they are telegraphed a mile off to an experienced consumer of the stuff.
Grace Smart produces a versatile set, Dan Martin some eye-watering special effects and director Simon Evans keeps the thing streamlined, saving comedic indulgence from itself on more than one occasion, no doubt.
Fans will love it. Non-fans will understand most of it. If non-fans have not heard the jokes before and wish to explore comedy history for 2 hours, they will also have a decent evening with some unexpected twists.
That is all that can be said, except to note that a hasty exit is not advisable when you think the production has finished. Wait for the staff to pull the door curtains back, is all the monkey is saying.
Legacy reader reviews
...I loved it, so clever, made me laugh, made me jump and I was very impressed with the acting and the special effects.
No spoilers...but there were quite a few twists and unexpected turns- most well hidden until...well as i said no spoilers.
If you like the series, you will enjoy the stage show. It is well written and, although, at some points it may feel disjointed, it is all tied up in a big feathery bow at the end.
We sat in the Grand Circle F10 &11. A long way up, but with great clear views. I would advise that you are looking down for most (all) of the time and you may get an ache in the neck, best to stretch at the interval.
Seats are comfortable, but not a huge amount of leg room. Our seats were only £27.50 each, so spend more if you need more comfort.
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Upper Circle D13. The height and distance are just about OK and I didn't feel the legroom was terrible. You are at the risk of people leaning forward and blocking off the left and right parts of the stage - but there should be no need for them to do this.
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.
Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Runs 2 hours 20 minutes approximately, including one interval.
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS / "BUY OR AVOID" SEAT GUIDE
Theatres use "dynamic pricing." Seat prices change according to demand for a particular performance. Prices below were compiled as booking originally opened. Current prices are advised at time of enquiry.
