The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town – Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley

Writers: Spike Milligan and Ronnie Barker

Adaptors: John Hewer and Rachael Hewer

Director: Rachael Hewer

It is 50 years since Spike Milligan along with Ronnie Barker first created The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town, and here in Hambledon Productions’ 50th anniversary tour the spirit of those two classic comedy giants very much lives on. Hambledon Productions is an award-winning theatre company that specialises in classic comedy revivals and was established in 2007 by brother-and-sister team John and Rachael Hewer. The Hewers are very much at the forefront of this production, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes. An extremely talented cast of four play multiple roles involving swift costume changes and superb timing to present a parody of the real-life Victorian Jack the Ripper murders, described by Ronnie Corbett in his autobiography as “a sort of Jack the Ripper meets the Keystone Cops.” 

The show contains all the hallmarks you would expect from the calibre of these writers: double entendres galore, silly puns, slapstick, visual gags, comedy songs, verbal word play and recurring routines. The Lamproom Theatre provides a perfect venue for this type of humour – small, intimate, homely – and the rapturous welcome and raucous laughter it received throughout a testimony to the lasting endurance of this classic comedy. Genuine star quality is always recognised and appreciated by audiences and this certainly fits the bill.  

All four performers are superb. Callum Hale is Inspector Corner of the Yard and John Hewer is his sidekick Sergeant Bowles. These parts were originally played by Messrs. Corbett and Barker. Both are excellent practitioners of their craft, a veritable double act with Hewer feeding off Hale’s mostly deadpan performance with knowing winks, bells and whistles. Their rapport is spot on both with each other and the audience. Self- assured and confident in their own abilities, they provide sure fire entertainment that is consistently funny and hilarious. Their duets are particularly clever and amusing, something that the original two Ronnies were noted for. Dexterous word play and delivery with Hewer providing plenty of visual asides and playing to the audience ensure hilarity all round. Daniel Grooms and Della Maylan are the other two actors completing the group. They too have their work cut out in switching from one character to another, changing accents (cockney, upper class, Scottish) to maximum effect. Albeit some of the humour is of the saucy seaside postcard variety but this is entirely in keeping with the piece and its original inception in time. The audience, mostly of an age to remember the original performers, lap up this homage to their comic heroes. 

The set is simple, versatile and effective, quickly morphing from 10 Downing Street to Buckingham Palace to general other locations mainly through the placing of certain furniture and having a fluid set-up with exits and entrances. The narrator (Roger Parkins) keeps things moving along nicely and the added music and sound effects – in particular the iconic raspberries – ensure continuity. The menacing caped figure of the Phantom himself makes a number of appearances and is never really identified.  

All in all this offers a very satisfying and enjoyable evening of comic nostalgia that will delight the hordes of fans of the original and will entertain less acquainted audiences alike. 

Reviewed on 24th September 2026. Touring the UK.