Spymonkey: Oedipussy

There’s something contagious about the humour of Spymonkey. Something that trips up the most serious mind and makes it laugh out loud – or so it would seem as we watched their new epic retelling of Oedipus. The story of Oedipus is a tragedy, but one from which they wring every last comic opportunity. The underlying theme is one of aging and each member of the company slips in and out of character to give insight into their own psyche, the general bodily decay that comes with growing old, the disappointments and the paranoias. But even if they are growing old Spymonkey are as fearless as ever when it comes to making fools of themselves, pushing themselves to extremes of physical comedy and baring their bodies as well as their souls. The production values are high too, with great sets, costumes and lighting and if I had any complaint it would be that from time to time the laughter of the audience drowned the words of the cast. Totally side-splitting silliness of the highest order.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 14 May 2012

Rating: