Making comedy from tragedy... Act II's Revue is a cutting satire of a miserable 2022, from Spalding to Hollywood
From the first sketch it was clear that nobody was safe as the Act II Theatre Company performed its hilarious annual Revue.
The interactive opening saw Phillip Schofield (Karl Gernert) and Holly Willoughby (Olivia Black) barge their way through the audience to make the way to the stage, their importance stated with every nudge and knock to their adoring public. Out the way plebs.
The lampooning of the great and ghastly has become a staple of Christmas at Act II’s Clay Lake home, where the stars of past 12 months - both locally and internationally - are ruthlessly satirised.
And - adding arguably more than its fair share of tragedy to the comedy - 2022 didn’t disappoint with its wide-ranging subject matter.
There was visible anger at the state of the nation, with the Government - and its revolving door of Prime Ministers - taking the brunt while the cost of living crisis, fuel hikes and increasing industrial action offered a biting start to proceedings.
The recent strikes were brought to the fore with an enjoyable and more light hearted sketch which saw Postman Pat (Penelope Harrall and her brilliant arm movements almost convincing you she was a stop-motion character) leading the way on the picket line, Thomas the Tank Engine and friends and Fireman Sam also getting in on the act.
But, of course, the traffic wardens are always on the prowl.
The Revue is arguably at its strongest when the comedy is driven by emotion.
Anger was evident in a sketch about a Davina McCall-fronted TV holiday show featuring an Albanian refugee rehomed to Rwanda while Suella Braverman and Priti Patel were on their jollies nearby, and Jacob Rees-Mogg enjoying a good, deep fracking perhaps a little too much.
Meanwhile a musical medley about Liz Truss’ disastrous premiership lasted almost as long as our former PM did in office.
You know it’s been one heck of a year when Boris Johnson didn’t make the cut.
Yet there was still room for a devilish Vladimir Putin and the Royals, Elizabeth II deservedly dodging any wrath but Charles and Camilla (portrayed wonderfully by a plum-in-mouth Jo Wheatley) and the new darlings of Netflix, Harry and Meghan, had their time in the spotlight.
Hollywood came under scrutiny as Jennifer Lopez searched for Mr Swipe Right and Will Smith (Olivia Black) delivered his mea culpa to the Fresh Prince theme.
A Meatloaf classic provided the soundtrack to a hastily-rewritten song about celebs who passed away this year, while another tragic loss was eulogised in a Neighbours sketch.
But comedy is at its most pure when holding up a mirror to oneself and it was arguably the local news which got the biggest laughs from the audience.
Musical skits jabbed the ribs of major talking points such as one supermarket’s love of infuriating self-serve checkouts - performed to Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out - and the Holbeach sink hole saga, of which dear Liza was more than happy to share her famous tune.
Spalding’s Christmas Tree received a quick swipe while local elections and next year’s planned return of the Flower Parade didn’t go unnoticed - an enjoyable three-act sketch arguably the highlight of the 90 minutes of manic costume and voice changes.
To play out there was a lament of England’s hopes - of winning titles and promoting LGBTQ+ - in Qatar.
Then came the final whistle. But thankfully there’s always next time.