Review | HA HA HOOD! (UK Tour) October 2014

Once again the Ha Ha clan roll around to Birmingham, with the usual barrel of laughs and ludicrousness. Written, directed by and featuring Ben Langley each year stars a different comedy personality - this year Hi-De-Hi's Su Pollard is Maid Marion and it also features Cannon and Ball - temporarily without Ball. Poor Bobby, consigned to bed on doctors orders means that for the time being, an understudy - who's name they did say... (Peter? Could be Paul...) steps in - and does a marvellous job. 

Set 10 years after the story we're familiar with we find Maid Marion, divorced from Robin, is now a colonic irrigation specialist - I bet when you bought your tickets you never thought it would be to see Su Pollard giving someone an enema? She does also sing a rather spectacular song to the tune of Nessun Dorma, with lyrics made up of an Indian food order... she excels her comedy credentials and it brings down the house. 

Comedy duo Cannon and Understudy are also great additions but are perhaps a little in the shadow of the show's creator - Ben Langley. With boundless energy he conjures audience participation and keeps enthusiasm at a high throughout. 

These shows are very much an adult pantomime - it's bonkers. You hang your brains up with your coat and you can leave any sort of heirs and graces there too. Riotous fun from the top until curtain-down ... except the curtain doesn't come down, you leave with a view of the small but perfectly adequate, charming little set. 

On tour throughout the UK. Dates here including Swindon Wyvern Theatre - book here. 

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HA HA HOLMES! (UK Tour) Review November 2013

Following the success of Ha Ha Hamlet! and Ha Ha Hitler!, Ha Ha Holmes! is the third offering from Ben Langley and Andrew Fettes and this has Joe Pasquale at it's helm. The duo, already famous for madcap productions have upped the levels of ridiculousness with Pasquale as Sherlock Holmes... 

As the squeaky-voiced comedian makes his way through the (very loose) plot things soon go awry for him and sidekick Dr. Watson, played by Ben Langley who also wrote and directed. Andrew Fettes is a highly comedic addition to the cast as every other character in the show. The trio work achieve hysterical laughter from what appears to be foolish play but must be impeccably planned. Andy Pickering is the on-stage pianist, a pantomime musician for the past 13 years must have prepared him for such a production but perhaps not for Joe Pasquale's spontaneous antics!

There is a very simple but ingenious set by James Lewis which is pushed around and positioned by the three cast members. Initially just a staircase and a few bookshelves, there is humour in the very clever ways in which it transforms and reveals hidden surprises. 

This is definitely the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen........ in a good way! Whilst not all the humour is always understood it is definitely on all levels, considering all audience types with slapstick and visual gags to the more witty and tongue-in-cheek. Don't miss it!

For touring information visit the website.