Spike - U.K. Tour

Ditto, and Oxford was announced as a venue some weeks ago but I could find zero info about a tour and contacted all the sources I could think of for info, none of whom replied - shame. So now it's coming to Guildford I shall book but when public booking opens next week.

Opening at the Cheltenham Everyman on 6 September, it will tour to Malvern, Guildford, Oxford, Salisbury, Brighton, Aylesbury, Glasgow, Richmond, Blackpool and Cardiff.


www.whatsonstage.com/newbury-theatre/news/spike-starring-john-dagleish-to-tour-uk_56552.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=19May2022

We ask one of the nice Moderators...or BurlyBeaR . 

I'm trying to book a ticket for the run in the Salisbury Playhouse. Does anyone have any experience with this theatre and know where the best place to sit? Front row is the cheapest price bracket, does that mean it's obstructed?

All set for Guildford in September now. Thank goodness the tour calls there and for their new "Early Bird" booking deal which has replaced the old system requiring you to wait until the week of the show before you could access a concession, and then only for a matinee. I still only want matinees due to trains but this way they get the money months upfront and you get the certainty of a decent seat - on the aisle in my case.

Also not a bad thing for the venue as public booking went live for several new productions at once so I actually booked the £15 deal for 3 of them. As they had more matinees than usual (3 per week instead of the usual 2), I take it these plays are expected to be more popular with that audience, which is fine by me as it increases my booking options.

The only downside is that booking so far ahead leaves you liable to subsequent date changes/tour cancellations. Last autumn, of 3 productions I had booked well in advance using the Early Bird scheme, only 1 went ahead as planned. 1 was eventually cancelled, but the theatre initially announced only that the tour had been postponed and without offering the option of a refund at that stage, though they eventually followed up by saying it had been cancelled and sending a refund. The 3rd one they moved from November 2021 to this June, and during a week when I am normally away, which indeed I am again so I'll have to miss out - and of the 3, that was the play I most wanted to see. Swings and roundabouts as ever with making a commitment so far ahead.

I’m sad John Dagleish isn’t playing Spike Milligan anymore. He was cast as Spike when the tour was first announced, but he seems to have had to withdraw

I saw the 2nd of 3 matinees in Guildford yesterday and thought it was great fun, though I was never a fan of the Goons or any of the following popular comedy programmes such as Monty Python and have always perceived them as men being silly and irritating. Plus the Goons were before my time anyway and something I associated with my parents' generation. Instead, I booked on the strength of reviews for the original production and absolutely loved this, so imo you don't need to be a Goons fan to enjoy it. I'd have liked to see the actor originally cast as Spike as unlike the other characters, his replacement didn't seem a great likeness but I'll never know what I missed and it didn't affect my enjoyment. The only disappointment was that the audience was smaller than usual - and than you'd expect for this type of show - but the usher did say that she thought the extra midweek matinee had split the attendance over the two days. The staging was really lively and entertaining, too; I would say the whole show provided wonderful escapism, except for the constant reminders of war.

I really hope it comes closer to my city so I can go to the Q&A! Currently booked to see it but can’t get there on the opening day because of trains!

Saw this a few days ago and I really enjoyed it! I was a bit unsure at first but it warmed up really quickly during Act One. I highly recommend anyone who is even passingly familiar with old BBC comedy, or who enjoys silly humour. There are obviously references for Goon Show fans, but they’re constructed so they’re funny even if you’ve never listened to the show.

It has its dark moments, there’s content warnings on the door for gunshots, explosions and a suicide attempt (being that Spike suffered PTSD because of the second world war), but (in a very Spike Milligan fashion) it bounces back to comedy quite quickly (although it doesn’t dismiss the issues, don’t worry).

The cast are very funny and are having a great time, the dynamic between Spike, Harry and Peter is perfect and extra points to Jeremy Lloyd for being a complete dead ringer for Harry Secombe (physically and vocally). Janet the sound effects woman is amazing, and ‘The Critics’ section is hysterical.

The only people I think who wouldn’t enjoy it are those looking for more heavier drama - this show has a lot of silliness, gags and a few purposefully corny puns (which is what you’d expect in a play about Spike Milligan).

The tour has been selling really well, I hope it extends (or perhaps makes it to the West End for a short run. Might work at the Ambassador’s theatre?)