Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall **** TNT

Saturday 15 August 2009 11:32 GMT

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Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall

This article was first published on tntonline.co.uk on Friday 14 August 2009 14:40 GMT. It was last updated on Saturday 15 August 2009 11:32 GMT.

Even though I’ve never found Spike Milligan’s humour particularly appealing, I’ve got nothing but praise for this co-production with Bristol Old Vic.

Ben Power and Tim Carroll have plundered the famous comedian’s war memoirs to put together an off-the-wall review style show following the young Milligan’s progress from raw recruit to stuttering casualty of the Second World War, linking the sketches with jazz interludes and slick renditions of songs of the period.

Milligan (who co-created The Goon Show and was himself an accomplished musician) had a zany, anarchic wit and an idiosyncratic logic – used here to highlight the ludicrous aspects of wartime as well as to point up the tragedy of losing so many young lives and physically damaging so many more.

Hitler makes frequent appearances as a life-size cardboard cut-out and the manic pace rarely lets up as the Royal Artillery is posted to Italy and North Africa and gunner (later lance corporal) Milligan suffers from shellshock and is plagued by piles.

Under Carroll’s slick direction of this mock ENSA concert party, the cast of five is uniformly excellent, exhibiting not only perfect comic timing but also singing in surprisingly sweet harmony – not to mention playing a cornucopia of instruments between them in this unexpected treat.

Hampstead, Eton Avenue, NW3 3EU (020 7722 9301) until 22nd August (£15-£25)