A comedy theatre show set in Old London Town, a surreal parody of Jack the Ripper written by Spike Milligan and Ronnie Barker.
The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town comes to The Barbican Theatre on Friday 13 November, a comedy set in Old London Town that takes a very particular kind of aim at the city's darker history. It's a parody of Jack the Ripper, written by Spike Milligan and Ronnie Barker and adapted for the stage by John Hewer. The original sketch first aired in 1976 and was made famous by The Two Ronnies, so this production marks the 50th anniversary of its first broadcast.
If you're familiar with Milligan and Barker, you'll know the sort of thing to expect: surrealism, wordplay, and a good deal of cheek. The sketch was one of their hallmarks, and this stage version keeps that spirit front and centre. It's the kind of comedy that doesn't just tell a joke but builds a whole absurd world around it, and seeing it played out on stage gives it a different energy than the original television sketch.
The cast features Daniel Grooms, Callum Hale, John Hewer, and Della Maylan, with Rachael Hewer directing. It's a small ensemble taking on a piece of comedy history, and with the 50th anniversary as the occasion, there's a bit of a celebration behind it. The production brings the original 1976 sketch back to the stage, so it's a chance to see a piece of British comedy that's been out of the spotlight for a while.
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Tickets are £20, and the show runs at The Barbican Theatre on 13 November. If you've got a soft spot for the Two Ronnies or just fancy a night of surreal comedy in Old London Town, this is one to keep on your radar.
