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.
Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
Idrie, Youtube
Idrie, Youtube
Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
98rosjon, Twitter
98rosjon, Twitter
Joycey, readytogo.net
Joycey, readytogo.net
Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
Whoiscuriousgeorge, Youtube
Borathigh5, Youtube
Borathigh5, Youtube
FBC, finalgear.com
FBC, finalgear.com
James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
Anon, westhamonline.com
Anon, westhamonline.com
Zombie Hamster, Twitter
Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Twitter
DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
Alwyn, Digiguide.tv
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Tweeterkiryakou, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
Brighton Argus
Brighton Argus
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12dgdgdgdgdgdg, Youtube
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
Microcuts 22, Twitter
Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Peter Ould, Youtube
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
Rudeness, Youtube
Rudeness, Youtube
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
Frankie Boyle, Comedian
Frankie Boyle, Comedian
Contrapuntal, Twitter
Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Robert Gavin, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Mearecate, Youtube
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Lenny Darksphere, Twitter
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Coxy, Dontstartmeoff.com
Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Secretdeveloper, Youtube
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
John Robins, Comedian
John Robins, Comedian
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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A D Ward, Twitter
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Z-factor, Twitter.
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Mpf1947, Youtube
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Fowkes81, Twitter
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
Pnethor, pne-online.com
Pnethor, pne-online.com
Peter Fears, Twitter
Peter Fears, Twitter
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
Tokyofist, Youtube
Tokyofist, Youtube
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
Lents, redandwhitekop.com
Lents, redandwhitekop.com
Aiden Hearn, Twitter
Aiden Hearn, Twitter
Pudabaya, Twitter
Pudabaya, Twitter
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Shit Crit, Twitter
Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
Esme Folley, Actress, cellist, Twitter
Al Murray, Comedian
Al Murray, Comedian
Mrdavisn01, Twitter
Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Stuart, Chortle
Tres Ryan, Twitter
Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Sidsings000, Youtube
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Funday’schild, youtube.
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Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Danazawa, Youtube
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
Birmingham Sunday Mercury
Birmingham Sunday Mercury
Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
Chez, Chortle.com
Chez, Chortle.com
Rubyshoes, Twitter
Rubyshoes, Twitter
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Horatio Melvin, Twitter
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
Wharto15, Twitter
Wharto15, Twitter
GRTak, finalgear.com
GRTak, finalgear.com
Kozzy06, Youtube
Kozzy06, Youtube
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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Liam Travitt, Twitter
Meninblack, Twitter
Meninblack, Twitter
Bosco239, youtube
Bosco239, youtube
Richard Herring, Comedian
Richard Herring, Comedian
Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
Tin Frog, Twitter
Tin Frog, Twitter
World Without End, Twitter
World Without End, Twitter
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
Stokeylitfest, Twitter
Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
Carcrazychica, Youtube
Carcrazychica, Youtube