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.
Peter Fears, Twitter
Peter Fears, Twitter
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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World Without End, Twitter
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Bosco239, youtube
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Meninblack, Twitter