Round the Horne...Revisited 2

Synopsis

The two new episodes of the riotous theatre version of the cult 60's radio show are once again recreated in a faithful adaptation by the last remaining writer of the original shows Brian Cooke. This new adaptation is the third show of the series and once again takes the best of the original scripts and parodies, songs and characters and adds a few new ones, including a recital by the Round the Horne Gilbert, Sullivan and Saveloy Stretching Society. Come and vada a few familiar eeks, see the outrageous Julian and Sandy meet Kenneth Horne for the very first time in 'Rentachap'. Take to the hustings on behalf of the 'Keep Britain Bona' party. Hear Rambling Syd Rumpo sing The Runcorn Splod Cobbler's Song. Plus an original Home-O-Graphic production of Rider Haggard's little known sequel 'He!' Son of 'She' and Grandnephew of 'Them'... Distantly Related to 'It' ... and a Good Friend of Gordon's.

Our Review:

1 February 2005

When I was growing up there were two shows that got people going. One was That Was The Week That Was, parties shuddered to halt each Saturday when it came on air. The other was Round the Horne – a more private affair, heard in the comfort of your own room but no less publicly poured over, adulated and adored.

Cut to 40 years on, and here we are in the less than salubrious Venue in Leicester Square as if time-blown back into the Beeb's Lower Regent Street recording studio, audience squashed hugger mugger up against performers in shared bucolic licence. As the characters roll out – not just the by now well worn `ducky' favourites Julian and Sandy but the priceless Dame Celia Molestrangler and Binkie Huckaback (in `homage' to every trembling PR syllable uttered in British movies circa 1940s-60s by the likes of Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard), audience shrieks get shriekier.

It's a love-in, no doubt about it and a well deserved one. Round the Horne...revisi...