Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My part in his downfall – The Lowry Theatre, Salford

Writer: Spike Milligan

Adaptor: Ben Power and Tim Carroll

Director: Tim Carroll

Reviewer: Laura Wilson

The Public Reviews Rating:

Spike Milligan is remembered as one of the country’s greatest comics, indeed he was voted ‘the funniest person of the last 1000 years’ in a 1999 BBC poll. Having only experienced the work and style of Spike Milligan on a few you tube videos I didn’t know what to expect from Spike Milligan’s Adolf Hitler: My part in his downfall. However, after the first couple of lines I understood what all the fuss was about.

Adolf Hitler: My part in his downfall brings to life the war memoirs of a young Spike, adapted for stage by Ben Power and Tim Carroll. It cleverly and effortlessly combines wit and tragedy, one minute the audience is in stitches, the next silence.

With the authentic set in place we were ready to witness the journey Spike was to take in the next 5 years. The show cleverly weaves together numerous short sketches chronicling Spike’s life in the army. One minute we are in Kent, the next Tunis, then Italy. The Major, played brilliantly by Matt Devereaux, introduces the evening as the talent show of Battery D, this is where TV producers need to sit up and take note. The audience were then treated to 2 hours of breathtaking talent.

Comic timing was effortless by all five actors, the musical interludes featuring jazz classics such as “One o’clock jump”, “In the mood”, and “Ain’t misbehavin’” were all brought to life through the fine musicianship of all on stage, frequently swapping instruments. Their four part harmony in “O god our help in ages past” was so touching and sensitive you would have heard a pin drop in the theatre.

Was it all fun and games in the second world war? Quite clearly not, the stress and physical strain our war heroes endured is quite clear to see in contrasting moments of the play. Sholto Morgan, as Spike Milligan was quite simply spectacular, in his first professional role he brought the talent and humour of Milligan to life. Adorable and innocent, his sensitivity came through in the tragic parts of the play, but he was able to change from sad and teary to bold and witty in seconds. His innocent expressive face and versatile trumpet playing skills made it seem like he was born to play this part.

The changes in emotion throughout the play is what sets this play apart from others. Any writer can make an audience laugh but to bring the audience to complete silence with such raw emotion is a powerful tool.

This show is a must see, a review on the flier states “joyously funny“ this no where near gives the credit deserving of such a masterpiece.

Milligan’s comedy is timeless, the Irish inscription on his gravestone reads “I told you I was ill” even in death Milligan has the power to make us chuckle. In life this play shows us Milligan had the ability to split sides leaving us with a fantastic, wonderful, witty and brilliant memoir.