Stephen Sharkey’s updating of the classic Goncharov novel brings a real mid-nineties relevance to the tale of the original slacker.
Dan O’Brien’s Oblomov is obsessed with sci-fi, gambling, moon landings and, most of all, inertia. “You dream of interplanetary life while England goes to the dogs,” complains his friend Stu, during a thinly disguised cameo from Stewart Lee.
But our hero’s capacity to do nothing is sorely tested by the beautiful but upwardly mobile Moira (Moira Govan), who – horror of horrors – arouses passion from within. Will it last? Not if Oblomov’s smoothie media friends have anything to do with it. In fact, Sharkey’s script tackles big issues in a sensitive way.
The way society has been broken down to leave a collection of individuals is his central theme, and the result is a jolly, but strangely moving piece of theatre. Erica Whyman, more usually found at Oxford Stage Company, directs with flair, while Barney George’s set is a masterpiece of flotsam and jetsam.
Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
Fowkes81, Twitter
Fowkes81, Twitter
Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Rudeness, Youtube
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Borathigh5, Youtube
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Peter Fears, Twitter
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Liam Travitt, Twitter
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Idrie, Youtube
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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World Without End, Twitter
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John Robins, Comedian
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Z-factor, Twitter.
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Tokyofist, Youtube
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Pudabaya, Twitter
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Funday’schild, youtube.
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Aiden Hearn, Twitter
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Meninblack, Twitter
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Stuart, Chortle
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Brighton Argus
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Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Bosco239, youtube
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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Lents, redandwhitekop.com
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Carcrazychica, Youtube
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Wharto15, Twitter
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Anon, westhamonline.com
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Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Chez, Chortle.com