Goon mania hit the radio waves in post-war Britain in the 1950’s, with Harry Secombe, Peter Sellars and Spike Milligan as the stars of The Goon Show.

Spike is Milligan’s story; how The Goon Show’s chief writer found himself an overnight celebrity by pushing the boundaries of comedy and the patience of the BBC. With support from sound assistant Janet and his fellow Goons, Spike deals with these new pressures whilst covering his haunted past of his experiences with war and the war he is having with himself. 

Is the humour and Spike’s genius covering something much more serious? Is Spike just obsessed with being funny? And will the whole thing come crashing down with the threat of a potato peeler?

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, and directed by Paul Hart, we are immersed in the inner workings of one of comedy’s greatest minds.

It begins with a nostalgic feeling of a different time in comedy. The live radio recording, complete with a sound effects department made up of Janet and everyday objects used in the most ingenious of ways. We are transported throughout to a much more innocent time in performance, one where people don’t worry about offending others by their satirical writing and just know what gets the laughs.

Robert Wilfort as Spike Milligan portrays the turmoil rather than a caricature of the comic. Drawing on the pain and motivation behind the genius. Patrick Warner (Peter Sellers) and Jeremy Lloyd (Harry Secombe) provide an insight into the relationships between the three stars and how what appeared to be a love/hate situation at times was actually a connection that ran much deeper.

Robert Mountford as BBC Exec is a humorous yet ironic reflection of the British stiff upper lip of the establishment and Margaret Cabourn-Smith as Janet is an affable and droll portrayal of the unrecognised addition to the Goon’s success.

The production is insightful and entertaining with a smidgen of old school humour!

A highly enjoyable evening for all ages whether you’re familiar with The Goons or not.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Spike is at the Malvern Festival Theatre until 17 September before continuing its tour until November. Tickets for select touring venues are available here.