Stop Messing About

I'm a great fan of the radio comedy of the 1950's, 60's and 70's and can often be found trawling through the BBC iPlayer comedy category for nuggets being re-broadcast on BBC 7. The Navy Lark, Hancock's Half Hour, Round the Horne, I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, All Gas and Gaiters, Steptoe and Son, Dad's Army and even The Clitheroe Kid can be found, and enjoyed, much of the time. Brilliant.

So, I was greatly looking forward to seeing this show and, I have to say, I was not disappointed. Actually, if you listen to the shows as broadcast then I would say that "Stop Messing About" was not as good as "Round the Horne", Kenneth William's was perhaps better as a rebellious cast member than he was as the central character but none the less the shows bear listening too even now and can raise many laughs.

The stage show is effectively a couple of broadcasts plus some of Kenneth's original warm-up material so it is not a long evening but it certainly is a merry one. This sort of production stands or falls by how well the cats throw themselevs into it and how closely they can re-create the nuances of the original performers - believe me, this cast does not disappoint. Robin Sebastian creates a superb Kenneth Williams both in the scripted and ad lib moments with all the silliness and catch phrases you could want - even some of the Carry On ones thrown in for good measure. Nigel Harrison does Hugh Paddick proud and India Fisher is a very credible Joan Sims but for me the real gem was Charles Armstrong's Douglas Smith, that much maligned BBC announcer figure so beloved at the time. I listened to an old show just before going and I have to say, the feel of the shows was up there on stage in spades. Bona Bona!

A great night out, enjoy!!