Writers: WIT? Theatre Company
Director: Alex Pritchett
“England 160 – it was literally ages ago! David Attenborough has just celebrated his 18th birthday.” Boasting the recorded voice of Stephen Fry as narrator, the opening lines already have the crowd cackling. WIT?—a razor-sharp quartet of actor-writers from NewsRevue—promise a factually correct retelling of history. Naturally, they deliver the exact opposite.
Instead, audiences get a ridiculously camp, pop-fuelled musical packed with modern pop culture references and sharp irony. We follow Robert Catesby and his “Rob-o-lutionaries” as they plot to blow up Parliament. In one standout comedic number, the conspirators attempt to choose a date for the explosion. They cycle through countless options before finally landing on the fifth of November.
The plot spirals into complete absurdity when Guy Fawkes takes over, renaming the group the “Di-GUY-ples.” Meanwhile, Robert turns on the gang due to his budding romance with King James. However, the King reveals he knew about the plot all along, thanks to his sharp wife, Anne of Denmark.
The music is exceptional, delivering catchy, pop-musical theatre tracks back-to-back. The cast performs with effortless slickness and precision. By the curtain call, the entire audience leaps to their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation.
Remember, Remember! is an absolute triumph. You will be humming “Just blow it up!” long after leaving the venue.
Runs until 30 August 2026 | Image: Contributed
