It has taken a long time, from its origins at Battersea Arts Centre via the Edinburgh Fringe, but composer/lyricist Richard Thomas and his collaborator Stewart Lee finally witness the official world premiere of their much touted show at the National Theatre.
Lee himself directs a zingy staging that uses operatic devices to parody, satirise and celebrate the genre of confessional trash television and its high priest, whom Michael Brandon impersonates with a blend of semi-fake charm and good natured non-judgementalism.
The high-octane production never lets up in the first half, in which Springer’s studio audience howls and bays at a succession of lowlifes whose sexual and emotional obsessions are splurged out for all to revel in and despise. As one schlocky narrative succeeds another, a climax of brilliance is reached with the arrival of a troupe of all-singing, all-dancing Ku Klux Klansmen, who bring the first half to a riotous close.
It is clearly predestined for cult status but if one is being picky it is hard not to feel that the score is thin, although the parodies of Bach and Handel are cleverly positioned.
Or that the plot, in which Springer’s fired warm-up man (David Bedella) shoots him in revenge and then turns out to be the Devil, precipitating an Act II confrontation involving Satan, Jesus, God plus Adam and Eve, is laboured.
The show has grown beyond its natural limits. But it is great fun along the way and presented with relentless chutzpah
Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
Mpf1947, Youtube
Mpf1947, Youtube
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Chez, Chortle.com
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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World Without End, Twitter
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Brighton Argus
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Keilloh, 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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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Meninblack, Twitter
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Stuart, Chortle