THE original writers and cast of Drop The Dead Donkey have reunited after a 30-year break to tour this new stage adaptation to Bath’s Theatre Royal and boy have they been missed!
Anyone who watched television in the 1990s will probably have vivid memories of the Channel Four BAFTA and EMMY Award-winning TV comedy which was screened for 65 episodes across six series between 1990 and 1998.
The topical sitcom, which was written and filmed close to the time of broadcast, was watched by millions and won legions of die-hard fans, many of whom are likely to turn out to watch this stage adaptation.
Thirty years after the launch of the trailblazing, smash-hit series, the Globelink News team are back in Drop The Dead Donkey: The Reawakening!, live on stage for the first time, bringing a brand-new topical commentary on the cut-throat world of 24-hour TV news.
The 2024 stage production reunites Stephen Tompkinson as Damien, Neil Pearson as Dave, Susannah Doyle as Joy, Robert Duncan as Gus, Ingrid Lacey as Helen, Jeff Rawle as George and Victoria Wicks as Sally, alongside Julia Hills as Mairead and Kerena Jagpal as Rita, directed by Derek Bond.
This hot off-the-press adaptation features the original cast setting up a new 24-hour television news channel Truth News, and is written by the award-winning writing team behind the original hit sitcom, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin.
The stage adaptation is bursting with razor-sharp wit and classic British humour, and I’m told the script is being regularly changed to accommodate topical news stories. One of the most memorable jokes at Tuesday’s first night went: “If the Post Office wanted to stall and delay compensation to the sub-postmasters, why didn’t they post it!”
Judging by the audience reaction, the UK tour is going to be a hugely enjoyable experience for the original cast, playing the flawed characters from Globelink News.
As one might expect from such an experienced cast, the production is virtually flawless, full of side-splitting topical humour, and their delivery is spot-on. Even the coffee machine, which seems to have a mind of its own, goes wrong dead on time! If you were a fan of the original TV series, it’s one not to be missed!
Drop The Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! appears at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, March 30. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
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