A terrific concept on which to meld high art with trailer trash, Springer’s notorious television show is parodied with considerable aplomb. The first half is straightforward. Similar to the small-screen version, the bizarre studio guests provide the fascination and entertainment.
They include a grown man having a tantrum while posing as a self-defeating tot, mullet-haired inbreds and dancing Ku Klux Clan members – the last is a rare side-splitting moment.
But despite roars of laughter from some quarters of the packed theatre, the show is achingly underscripted. The weighty idea in the second half to make Springer introspective by a striking Valkyrie appearing in his mind’s eye is sadly underdeveloped. Instead we are only left with an amusing but hollow plot with Springer – ably imitated by Rick Bland – hosting Satan, Jesus, Mary and Adam and Eve in an edition in Hell.
Richard Thomas’ music – simply musical theatre at times – impresses, though he and his colyricist Stewart Lee should realise that sopranos singing the word ‘fuck’ loses its shock value after two hours.
Repetitive scenes drag the last hour and greater spoken wit could bolster the show.
The 21 strong cast are good, particularly David Bedella as Jonathan the warm-up man, though Jerry’s mischievousness is absent.
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Stuart, Chortle
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Chez, Chortle.com
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Hiewy, Youtube
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Idrie, Youtube
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Brighton Argus
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Bosco239, youtube
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Etienne, Chortle.com