British satire does not often makes its way onto the main stage these litigious days, but is more the reserve of comedy clubs. It’s a crude, harsh art form, more used to being part of the social event calendar of political party conferences.
The Labour Party, which has always enjoyed an abundance of actors flying the red flag at their conferences, may not have won many elections, but if silverware for political satire revues were awarded, then their trophy cupboard would be heaving.
The one man of course who broke the mould and took the Labour Party from a graveyard of permanent opposition for many quadrenniums, both before and after him was Tony Blair.
He also went from hero and everybody’s best pal at the start of his number 10 tenure, to zero Billy no-mates at the end.
Who then is more fitting than Tony ‘the teeth’ Blair to be the subject of a satirical musical – (that was a rhetorical hence the lack of question mark). Also sufficient time has elapsed since the infamous war that toppled both himself and Sadam Hussein to allow it to become an acceptable source of levity.
Harry Hill and Steve Brown have collaborated in writing this full-on satire in which, although Tony gets the Blair-Witch treatment, no-one comes out unscathed.
Phil Sealey’s portrayal of Gordon Brown as a big-bellied, sweating, dribbling mathematically brilliant but social inept Blair bag-carrier is like a living version of a gross Gerald Scarfe caricature.
There is of course a wealth of satire to be had at the expense of the prince of darkness himself Peter Mandelson, and Howard Samuels takes full advantage of it. Likewise Tori Burgess as Cilla Black – sorry Cherie Blair – sexy with more than a hint of Lady Macbeth about her.
Martin Johnston lets Neil Kinnock off lightly, coming across more a golden haired political evangelist than ginger-whinger opportunist; Rosie Strobel brings out the buffoonery of bare-knuckle boxer John Prescott (not to be confused with the Birmingham heavyweight of the same name and time); Sally Cheng captures the oratory skills of reluctant foreign secretary Robin Cook and Emma Jay Thomas oozes sexuality as the People’s Princess, Diana.
Jack Whittle as Tony Blair, with his exaggerated smile, gesture and vocal delivery is simply majestic. He is, quite rightly, the maypole around which everyone else dances
There are cartoon appearances of Sadam Hussein, George Bush, Osama Bin Laden and many others performed by members of this hard-working company.
All very funny, however I must admit I did found the portrayal of blind education minister David Blunkett bumping into everything a bit too cruel, but he would probably be the first to laugh at it when it’s described to him, as he is known for having a wicked sense of humour,
There are some terrific songs and arrangements which pay homage to nearly every genre of musical theatre. And all performed by a brilliant band driven by keyboard playing musical director Tara Litvack.
Peter Rowe has done a fine job of directing, moving everything at a frenetic pace whilst leaving little naughty, “Did he, Would she, Did they?” flag posts in your head. Not enough to get the writers sued but substantial pebbles in the pond.
Perhaps there were too many ‘teeth and smile applaud us’ end to songs (someone should have warned them this is Malvern for goodness sake) but that’s my only criticism and no doubt it’ll come back at them in waves on the Edinburgh festival leg of the tour.
Libby Watson’s simple but effective nebulous set and red tie costumes work well as the third part of the technical team joining Mark Dymock’s lighting and Richard Brooker’s sound to complete a nigh perfect triangle.
Put aside any political leanings and go see this show as a very entertaining piece of theatre. In the opinion of this reviewer it is a far cleverer and better written than the other satire currently doing the rounds – the Spitting Image stage revival.
All the characters share the same attribute as Tony Blair – they are egocentrics and as such like coconuts on the shy at the fairground – they make fair game to toss balls at.
No doubt there will be a satire on ‘The Covid Chronicles’ to come in perhaps a decade from now when we can laugh at that too but for now ‘Tony Blair the musical stirs the memories and tickles the funny bone.
Let’s face it not only was TB the most charismatic post war PM. he’s now also the self- made richest – he deserves a musical and the fair- game satire.
Tony Blair The Rock Opera is at Malvern until Saturday, July 22. Click here for times, tickets and more information.
