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.
Lents, redandwhitekop.com
Lents, redandwhitekop.com
Fairy Pingu, Twitter
Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Brighton Argus
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Idrie, Youtube
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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World Without End, Twitter
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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John Robins, Comedian
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Bosco239, youtube
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Stuart, Chortle
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Funday’schild, youtube.
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Meninblack, Twitter
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Chez, Chortle.com
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Tin Frog, Twitter