When Spitting Image first hit our televisions back in the 1980’s, it was difficult to prise my late father away from the screen. It was one of his favourite programmes and he and I had many a hearty laugh as we watched it together.
It was therefore a great pleasure for me to catch the last night of the live production “Idiots Assemble” at the Birmingham Rep. In today’s world, there is often a fear that someone will take offence at something that we say and the whole thing was refreshingly open and honest. At the very beginning, a warning was issued over the P.A. that things would be said which some might find offensive and the suggestion was made that those who were easily offended should leave the theatre ( this is the most polite way in which I can word it for this review).
Basically, the story is based upon the Magnificent Seven films and follows our specially chosen heroes through their efforts to thwart an attempt by a cabal of dark forces to bring chaos and destruction to the nation. The format is a musical one and satirical songs and some dancing accompany the dialogue and excellent puppetry,with everything combining to make for a highly entertaining production.
One of the most impressive features of Spitting Image is the lack of one sided bias. No one is exempt from being lampooned and the Royal Family, the political right and left and anyone else deemed fit was targetted in an irreverent and of course, amusing way. It was like being back in my youth as I laughed heartily and enjoyed the performance, while not missing out on the serious and thought provoking issues that were underlying. All in all, a great evening and many thanks to Dan at the Rep for organising my visit. Certainly a night to remember!
