REVIEW: Spalding’s annual Act II Revue again mines the mirth from modern madness

A new Government may bring a new hope but - much more importantly - it delivers new gags.

From planters to paywalls, post offices to politics, Act II’s annual Revue - one of South Holland’s finest Christmas traditions - once again took us on a hilarious-yet-sometimes-uncomfortable journey through the past 12 months.

The heroes and villains of 2024 were ruthlessly ripped and lovingly lampooned throughout the 80-minute show which set the mood brilliantly with a look at Labour’s return to power set to an Oasis medley (Rock n Roll Starmer, a particular favourite).

Once again, those charged with putting the public’s interests first - and their opponents - didn’t get off lightly, even if the tone was seemingly more of disappointment than rage for the newbies.

This was the first Revue without a Conservative government in power but the show’s finger was pointedly pointed upwards to those at the top.

Injustices and wrongdoings were highlighted and mocked by the razor-sharp writing of Charlotte and Karl Gernert and portrayed fantastically by the returning cast of Olivia Black, Penelope Harrall, Jo Wheatley and Karl, complete with another trunk full of pitch-perfect props.

But while shining a light on power, a mirror was also held up to ourselves.

Looking inwards, a very good number of sketches dedicated to news in and around Spalding made the cut this year.

Town centre changes, industrial action, farmers’ fears, wheelie bins and even the Flower Parade very proudly marching on all came under the microscope, while a local episode of Question Time deservedly went down brilliantly with the audience.

Yes, South Holland got its fair share of ribbing but - before you head online to type out your disgust - it’s only fair to point out the writing and performances carried a deep undercurrent of love for the patch.

The celebs also took their turn with clever consequences while Death made his annual return to hilariously sing us through the list of famous faces we lost this year in his own inimitable style.

If that wasn’t morbidly wonderful enough, the bawdy, brilliant Mohamed Al-Fayed added some serious belly laughs in his very own sketch from beyond the grave.

Mo may not have stole the show, but he certainly tucked it in his pocket and tried to do a runner.

With so much madness in the UK right now, the 2024 Revue felt less global. Even regular fave Vladimir Putin failed to shoehorn his way in.

However, bookending the show, was another election to music. Proving how similar yet totally different we are to our American cousins, we closed with a Taylor Swift-inspired swipe at the US election where, once again, no candidates - or their lackies - came out favourably.

This year’s Revue was more of a return to fun-poking flippancy after 2023’s near-apocalyptic messages, emphasised by the cost of living crisis, corruption and a brave step away from humour with their Israel-Palestine sketch.

The lighter tone was perhaps aided by two major elections that - no matter which side of this culture war you sit - at least dragged us out of the stale horror we found ourselves in 12 months ago.

But no punches were pulled and there were still plenty of barbed gags to remind us that, no matter who’s running the show, the world is still very much a mess.

And when the world’s a mess, what can we do? Well, laugh, of course.

* The Revue runs at Act II’s Clay Lake studio until Saturday (December 14).

Remaining show times are Thursday (7pm), Friday (7pm and 9pm) and Saturday (7pm).

Tickets cost £7 and are available by emailing tickets@act2online.co.uk.