The Ministry of Biscuits continues at the Barons Court Theatre, London until 10 February 2019.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
From the opening titles with the cast holding up placards to an overture, reminiscent of the opening of an Ealing comedy, this is a clever spoof with a satirical edge.
Poking gentle fun at British conservatism, its nostalgic humour is gentle but topical as it harks back to an earlier notion of Britishness. It’s a curious melange of Flanders and Swann and Gilbert and Sullivan with a hint of Hinge and Bracket. Overlaid with Salad Days. And Fawlty Towers.
The Ministry of Biscuits exists to maintain the standards of the British biscuit, and deter interlopers from Continental Europe from usurping their prominence. Heaven forbid a jammy dodger or even a jaffa cake!
The plot hinges on young civil servant Cedric Hobson, a delightfully funny Murray Simon, and his attempts to introduce something rather more delectable, the Triple-Chocolate Gingernut Surprise, that bears a striking a resemblance to a chocolate pyramid!
It also involves the delectable French seductress Francois Courvoissier. Amy Sutton relishes the part and is effortlessly funny and seductive, doubling as the Teutonic Dr Wishwinge who attempts to brainwash young Cedric into forgetting his dreams of a Triple-Chocolate Gingernut Surprise. Sutton lights up the stage and is a talent to watch.
Brian Mitchell, the composer and co-writer of the witty book and lyrics with Philip Reeve, is the Minister of Biscuits defending his traditions, and David Mountfield in a plethora of other parts, including a drag radio presenter reminiscent of Hattie Jacques, complete the eccentric quartet.
The music harks back to another era, but is appropriate to the unfolding story. We get waltzes, patter songs and even a round. Sutton sings a warm ballad. The cast bounces along merrily. They sing to a backing track that is inventively arranged for piano, violin, viola and cello by Mitchell and Stephen Wrigley.
It’s a clever jolly romp, unlike anything else around. Charmingly old fashioned, and courageous for being so. Go and relish its hard-working cast, its period humour, and the biscuit that you get with your programme. I enjoyed it immensely.
Leon Ferguson
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