Review written by Tyrone Baptiste
When you think of Yorkshire, you think of the green rolling hills, Emmerdale and a proper cup of tea not top-ranking Nazis planning their ultimate comeback to invade England (cue a side spit) but this is what Ay Up, Hitler! is all about. This is Allo Allo but if it was set in Yorkshire. This show was packed full of laughs, and a heartbreaking twist that did catch me off guard. A moment when I had to stop writing notes and be submerged in a pivotal point in the show. Chris Hawley’s direction steered the show in the right direction. He captures the tone and atmosphere of the show perfectly. David McCulloch, who both starred in and wrote the show, his writing needs to be seen and heard more often. He is able to give each and every character their individual spotlight so we as the audience are drawn into this hilarious journey. A journey that I wish would never end.
Marcus Churchill and Matthew Goodwin-Grist
From the very start of the show, you knew you would be in for an hour of comedy excellence. In the very first moments of the show, the actors break the fourth wall which takes the audience on this journey. You are instantly drawn into this bizarre and hilarious comedy. The set which consisted of only 4 wooden blocks and a black screen acted as another character that helped to tell this story. It was a pub, it was a podium where Hitler delivered one of the speeches and it was also one of the many components that made the show what it is. Hannah Wood’s lighting and sound design helped to take us as the audience on this journey full of many great moments. One of these moments is Wood’s lighting for the final few seconds of the show where Hitler just stares out into the audience and there is a gradual fade to black. This lighting sets the dark undertones of the play which was executed finely.
Peter McCrohon
Peter McCrohon is perfectly cast as Hitler the One Ball Fuhrer. He plays the role with integrity and showmanship. His audience participation skills were immaculate. Peter can captivate the audience with just one look. His speech at the pub was acted superbly and he attains the audience's attention as we start to see the dark side of this character which we were laughing at just a few seconds ago.
Michael Goodwin-Grist plays Himmler to be a slimy, campy and perfectly awkward SS officer and it works fantastically. His facial expressions were over the top but fixated me on his performance. His performance as Eva Braun is camp awesomeness especially his lip sync performance of the classic ‘I’am What I’am’.
Marcus Churchill plays the ‘Strategic Marketer’ Goebbels with incredible comic timing and serves as the play’s main narrator which he does with ease. I must also talk about his cigar smoking Winston Churchill character which is just pure British excellence. He takes on this role with might and superb one liners which he delivers with clarity.
(pictured left to right: Michael Goodwin-Grist, Marcus Churchill, Peter McCrohon and David McCulloch)
Hannah Cait-Harrison is fantastic as Goring #2 and in other roles including Donald Trump. She has great energy which adds to the already fantastic show. Hannah’s Donald Trump is something which must be seen by all. She encapsulates the mannerisms and voice of him perfectly well.
David McCulloch plays Goring #1 superbly well with great jokes which are delivered with perfect timing. He also plays the role of Anthony, the actor who plays Goring. Now, I must say, this was just excellent. This was the twist that I had mentioned earlier on. McCulloch plays this moment with honesty. McCulloch takes the stage and he owns it. You have your eyes on him for this moment.
I can’t wait to see what Gamma Ray Theatre does next!
★★★★★
Ay Up, Hitler! is currently playing at theSpace at Surgeons Hall as part of Edinburgh Fringe from August 7th - 12th and 14th August - 26th August 2023
For tickets for their show at Edinburgh Fringe which has sold out the first 4 nights - Ay Up, Hitler! | Theatre | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)
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