REVIEW: THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN LIVE AGAIN @ BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

The cultural impact of Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith over the past 20 years cannot be under estimated. Gatiss is now feted as co-writer and star of Sherlock amongst many other successful projects, whilst Pemberton and Shearsmith have forged their own niche in comedy with the award-winning Inside No. 9 But it is collectively as The League Of Gentlemen that they have attained national treasure status. Together with their silent writing partner Jeremy Dyson, the combo burst onto the comedy scene in the 1990s making their mark at the Edinburgh Fringe, before bringing their crazy creations from the town of Spent to BBC Radio in 1997. However, it is the television series set in Royston Vasey which debuted in 1999 that shot their star into the stratosphere. A full three series and a Christmas special later, the world had fallen at the feet of the League, and embraced a number of catchphrases for the characters. The sure sign of a comedy pandemic. The inhabitants of Royston Vasey fell silent in 2000, briefly reprised in the movie The League Of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse in 2005 and then gloriously resurrected last year by the BBC for three Christmas anniversary half hours.

Now Gatiss, Pemberton and Shearsmith are back again with another live tour taking in theatres and arenas throughout the land.  It is worthwhile noting that despite massive success in television and movies over the past two decades, all three performers have kept up a strong presence in live theatre as solo performers. Their stage skills have been honed on plays and musicals, and they bring this wealth of experience to the new live show.

This latest live incarnation follows the format of their 2001 tour in that the first act sees the trio donning dinner jackets and bow ties to perform sketches from the history of the series, a sort of ‘greatest hits’ presentation. With just the odd prop or wig here and there to suggest the characters. We start with a song from Ollie, Dave and Phil – Legz Akimbo Theatre Company and the dangers of talking to strangers. An extract – we are told – from Ollie’s latest play ‘Swerve The Perv’. Naturally the audience greet the characters like returning messiahs. Any disappointment that ticket holders might have had at having fifty per cent of this ‘Live Again’ tour from recycled material is quickly put to bed by the classy playing of the three wise men. Thus we get to say hi again to that fine example of a happy marriage, Stella and Charlie as they play a game of Trivial Pursuit. That most sinister of newsagents Pop is back to meet his son Richie’s new girlfriend, Pamela Doove once again gets to try out for a new orange juice commercial and we are explained the finer details of playing “Go Johnny Go Go Go”. The Gents slip easily from one character to another, a gesture here, a change of voice there. We are so familiar with much of the material, that the fact they are not in full costume and make-up seems to matter not a jot. It is however, just the warm up for the fireworks of Act 2.

 The anniversary specials on BBC 2 last winter sought to bring us up to date with post-Brexit Royston Vasey, and it is from this point that we discover Tubbs Tattsyrup trapped in the ‘Wife Mine’, hoping forlornly for a reconciliation with her beloved Edward. Just the right occasion for a wistful ballad. We have truly entered Royston as the League full character guises for a wild trip through the greatest inhabitants of that peculiar town. Geoff Tipps joins Brian at Mike’s renewal of his wedding vows to Cheryl. This is one of Shearsmith’s triumphant moments. His playing of the paranoid Tipps is a delight on every level as he celebrates the union of his best friend and the woman he was supposed to murder. Inbetween sketches the very Reverend Bernice Woodall pops up to dispense advice on problems put from the audience. I have to confess Bernice has always been a favourite of mine, and she doesn’t disappoint with her brutal responses on some of life’s dilemmas. “Alles Klar?” The arrival of Duisburg’s double entendre king (or should that be queen) Herr Lipp is given a huge hand on his entrance. Those who have attended the live shows before know that Lipp is destined to come amongst us, and indeed he does, someone is selected to be star for a night and Pemberton deals with the audience interaction superbly. It wouldn’t be Vasey without its resident rock star Les McQueen, and indeed we do get a musical interlude with the ex-Creme Brulee guitarist. Gatiss also transforms wonderfully into the vet from hell Mr. Chinnery as he attempts to treat a giant panda. We sadly also have to attend the funeral of Pauline Campbell-Jones who is seemingly murdered in the latest episodes, and Mickey and Ross pay their respects with very different floral tributes. But can you keep a good re-start officer down? Pens are surely at the ready for what we know is as inevitable as a pig in a pokey. Throw in the toad obsessed Dentons, a holy Papa Lazarou and dodgy butcher Hilary Briss and it all adds up to an amazing evening of first class character comedy.

The audience are on their feet and cheering wildly as soon as the League theme plays at the close of the show, and well they might. The League of Gentlemen have passed into legend, their original take on comedy took us by storm 20 years ago and still leads the field today. The latest Live Again tour might not have quite the creative flair of the previous Are Behind You? show but it is certainly miles ahead of anything else likely to be found in the name of comedy. Hopefully we have not seen the last of Royston Vasey on TV, but for now lap up this glorious romp of a show with three performers at the very peak of their comedic powers. You’ll never want to leave.