This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw Drop the Dead Donkey at the invite of The Alexandra.
By Charlie Farmer
Review: Drop the Dead Donkey at The Alexandra
⭐⭐⭐⭐Fans both old and new will love this.
Directed by Lindsay Posner, written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Thirty years after the events of the award-winning television series, the hapless George, the now wheelchair-bound Damian, the (now) ex-womaniser Dave, the vindictive Joy, the stupidly optimistic Gus and an extremely disappointed Helen are all reunited for their final rise and fall – or rather, crash and burn. Joined by fresh-faced Rita and previously unmentioned friend Mairead, they are anonymously invited to the inventively named TRUTH NEWS. Despite their (many) concerns, they agree to stay for one reason – the money. After a few ‘technical hitches’, they start asking the serious questions – ‘Who owns us? It isn’t Musk, is it?’
The set (deceptively) felt like a professional news station! The lighting narrowed down the stage to give the characters the settings of the main office, a street, the loo, and the broadcast control room – individually or many at once. And I couldn’t forget the screen hanging in the air as it presented comments on TRUTH NEWS social media. The costumes were well chosen, suiting each character well – from a simple flannel shirt and hoodie, to an executive’s suit and tie, to a black leather outfit with a black t-shirt. The music sounded like you could slot it inside any news show.
The characters were all entertaining, and I especially liked Joy. Susannah Doyle played Joy – malicious very well – completely ruthless, absolutely rotten, only there to enjoy the show – and I don’t mean what they’re reporting – and she chooses to embrace it. Kerena Jagpal also did a decent job as Rita – the fresh-faced intern who at first seems to be a pushover, but is more intelligent, capable and moral than most of the other people working there. George (Jeff Rawle) was very funny, with nothing – and by that, I mean almost nothing – going right for him – technology has it in for him!
I never saw the original series – though I may do soon – and I enjoyed this play. New fans, I guarantee you will love this! And older fans (who will doubtless greet the original tv series cast with applause like the audience I was with), will love it, judging by the universal applause the audience gave after Part one and two ended, from old fans and new!
Drop the Dead Donkey is at The Alexandra until 20th April. Book tickets here: atgtickets.com/shows/drop-the-dead-donkey/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham.
