Drop the Dead Donkey – The Reawakening – Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Janine Rumble
Fans of the 90s TV show ‘Drop the Dead Donkey will love the theatre show ‘Drop the Dead Donkey-The Reawakening. The show is set thirty-ish years after the first episode screened in the early 1990s and the old Globelink team is brought back together by a mysterious consortium of backers to bring the ‘Truth’ to the news. The show explores the ever-changing world of news and social media, with a great mix of jokes and references to current affairs that had the audience laughing out loud.
Most of the original cast have returned as their much loved/disliked characters from the TV show and the show spends the first half reminiscing and catching up on what has happened to the characters in the intervening years. The show opens with a clip from Drop the Dead Donkey TV show, a very funny clip from the original tv show where reporter Damien, expertly played by Stephen Tomkinson reports on the news and the many devastating natural and man-made disasters, ably abetted by his teddy bear Dimples and editor in chief, George Dent. Fast forward thirty years and the pair are reunited after being duped by fictitious employers and lured to the ‘Truth’ news show, with the promise of a large and regular pay check, which as a down on their luck, older employee, finds difficult to turn down and a loss of integrity and personal beliefs, set to a thought provoking and moralistic comedy.
George Dent, played by Jeff Rawle, is joined by Dave, played by Neil Pearson and the story begins to unfold, with the audience being granted small snapshots into the lives of these characters, where we learn that down on his luck George has a girlfriend and Dave has just been released from prison. They are then joined in the new ‘Truth’ newsroom by Helen, played by Ingrid Lacey, Gus, played by Robert Duncan, Joy, played by Susannah Doyle, Mairead, played by Julia Hills and Sally Smedley, played by Victoria Wicks. Each actor portrays their characters as you remember them from the TV show. Sally Smedley, is still a character you love to hate, as is Joy, but throughout the show, you are given glimpses into their lives in either funny or poignant ways. There is a new character added to the mix, in the guise of the weather person, Rita, played by Kerena Jagpal. Joining this cast must have been very daunting, but she portrayed it her role brilliantly.
I loved the links to all the recent news stories, and these were told in a funny way. I also loved the cameo of one of the greatest newsreaders of all time, Sir Trevor McDonald, absolutely brilliant and shocking too.
The stage was very simple, with the only props being moved on and off the stage was the gender-neutral toilets, where George and Dave would have some of their most poignant conversations.
The stage was set up to resemble that of a newsroom, the ‘Truth News’ newsroom, with desks and glass windows, very modern and very cleverly used for comedic value, especially Sonia, the coffee machine – poor George! Haha!
It is a great show, and it was great to see where the characters have ended up after a 30-year hiatus from our screens. The characters are still comfortably the same, but even more flawed and vulnerable, but still funny.
Tickets are priced from £13.00 and can be purchased from the theatre or online at https://dropdeaddonkey.co.uk/ To book tickets for a show, click on the ‘Book Now’ box next to the theatre of your choice. I promise you; you won’t be disappointed. The show is great with a mix of nostalgia, news, and current affairs, which will have you laughing along with the rest of the audience. I recommend going to see this stage show, you won’t be disappointed in this old classic with a modern twist…I give this show 4 out of 5 stars.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/drop-the-dead-donkey/milton-keynes-theatre
Rating: 4/5