The original cast and writers of the award-winning TV comedy Drop The Dead Donkey have reunited to bring a brand-new stage adaptation of the show on tour, visiting Milton Keynes Theatre this week, writes Chris Gregg.
Drop The Dead Donkey was a satirical comedy on Channel 4 in the nineties which was set in a TV newsroom at a time when 24 hour rolling news was just starting in the UK and, unusually for a sitcom, it was recorded a few days before transmission with the script updated at the last minute to include topical references.
The topical content is probably the reason it's rarely been repeated on TV in the last 30 years, and most people under the age of 45 have probably never heard of it, which the producers of this show have clearly understood because it's pitched perfectly at its audience of 'mature' Channel 4 viewers.
Despite reviving a 30 year old concept, the show feels fresh, edgy and current with plenty of topical content about this week's news including references to the Princess of Wales' photoshopping skills, Lee Anderson, Liz Truss and RIshi Sunak, and the storyline is very 2024, with fake news, AI and the difficulty of Gen X to navigate the current culture wars.
The format still has plenty of mileage left in it, with razor sharp comedy and some quite risque jokes at the risk of lawsuits from Sir David Attenborough and Prince Andrew!
The studio and newsroom of 'Truth TV' have been created convincingly on stage with a giant screen scrolling viewer reaction tweets and video clips including a hilarious cameo from Sir Trevor Macdonald.
It's clear that there's still a great chemistry between original cast members Stephen Tompkinson (as legendary field reporter Damien), Neil Pearson (as reformed gambler and womaniser Dave), Susannah Doyle (Joy), Robert Duncan (as the channel's boss Gus), Ingrid Lacey (Helen), Jeff Rawle (as the show's Editor, George), and Victoria Wicks (as news anchor Sally) and the plot brings them together in a way that doesn't feel too contrived.
The original writing team of Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin have penned the new show and they say "it's going to be hugely enjoyable to watch those 7 funny, flawed characters from Globelink News being plunged into the cutthroat world of modern 24-hour news gathering and trying to navigate their way through the daily chaos of social media, fake news, and Interim Prime Ministers.”
Whether you remember the original sitcom fondly or just appreciate satirical comedy, this show has plenty to keep you entertained and will have you searching for the classic episodes on BritBox and All4.
