Remember, Remember! continues at Queen Dome at Pleasance Dome until 30 August 2026 (except 17, 24). The show will also play the Pleasance Theatre, London from 4-7 and from 11-14 November.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The fifth of November… Even the date is the subject of much dispute in this hilariously irreverent take on the Gunpowder Plot. Don’t expect any accuracy beyond the barest minimum, although at one point, one of the characters quickly announces that one bit of information was true. This is history according to WIT?, a London-based company of actor-writers-composers comprising Lucy Buncombe, Ross Tomlinson, Tom O’Kelly and Kluane Saunders.
We open to a quartet of monks in a pseudo-Gregorian chant, with the voice of Stephen Fry setting the historical scene (sort of).
That got over with, the plot goes hell for leather, with the cast adopting a plethora of roles in a script replete with contemporary references and hilarious anachronisms.
And into this there are genuinely dramatic moments such when as Robert Catesby (reluctantly adopting a spy role under the name “Bobby baby”) first meets King James (an outrageous caricature from Tomlinson). This quickly tumbles into innuendo and there’s an audience moment of “aaargh” at his rather gruesome attempt to cure James’ gout.
However, underscoring all this silliness, there is a rigorous discipline. The songs are catchy and funny, the vocals razor sharp (some astonishing four-part harmonies), with the audience singing along on occasion. The lyrics clever and witty. The whole directed within an inch of its life by Alex Pritchett. And mention should be made of musical director Isabella Guilar on keyboard, who, hiding in the corner, casts a sane eye on the whole proceedings.
It’s a great show. Great fun. And it’ll stay with you a long time. This ridiculously talented company is one to watch out for.
James Bryce
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