Review of Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall, Hampstead Theatre
Spike Milligan's World War II memoirs are the basis for this highly amusing piece of musical theatre
28 July 2009
Rating: 3/5
SPIKE Milligan is the type of man you’d want to go to war with – well, except if he was under your command.
Quick-fire jokes and impressions were always Spike’s forte and this musical version of his own WWII memoirs does them justice.
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Quirky and boisterous, Sholto Morgan’s gag-happy Spike is a troublesome spoke in the hierarchical military wheel.
The cast of five juggle countless characters, instruments and props and do so with flair, especially Matthew Devereaux as the pompous bandmaster.
Aside from a brilliantly jazzy score, the show's strength is in the soldiers’ off-duty banter – one tale about impressing prostitutes with a rendition of The Lambeth Walk reveals a blokey sense of humour that hasn’t changed much in 65 years.
Yet there are weaknesses: the emotional journey is disjointed, a few of the musical numbers ought to become canon fodder and the flabby second half should be cut down and whipped into shape.
Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall , until 22 August, Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, NW3 3EU. Get directions
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