Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall - Darlington Civic Theatre, Teesdale Mercury

Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall - Darlington Civic Theatre

Mar 2, 2010

SPIKE Milligan's Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall has been adapted for the stage by Ben Power and Tim Carroll from the first of Spike Milligan's war autobiographies.

This adaptation takes the form of a series of short sketches and is staged as a revue show to entertain the troops with Spike Milligan, played by Sholto Morgan, and his jazz quartet played by David Morley Hale, William Findle, Matthew Devereaux and Dominic Gerrard.

The show moves swiftly between observations about the war and army life through short scenes of Spike's experiences interspersed with many jazz numbers. The comic impro style of the show helps in emphasising Spike's zany comedic style.

Although the show captures many styles of Spike Milligan, the comedy was not as funny as I expected and the sketches were too short to fully appreciate them. The actors appeared to have been picked for their singing and musical skills not their comic acting. That said I am sure Spike Milligan fans will enjoy reminiscing over their departed comedy hero.

A J Harrison