TONY! – The Tony Blair Rock Opera could only go one way with
the writing of Harry Hill. Zany, whacky, madcap and crazy are just some of the
words I thought during the evening. This fast-paced show doesn’t pause as it
moved swiftly through the life of Anthony Charles Lynton Blair. Opening on his
deathbed, we are taken through the main events of his life. From his birth moving
onto his first guitar, off to university, joining the labour party and of
course becoming the PM. With the first act ending with the death of Princess
Diana and the rise of Tony, the second half focuses on his downfall with George
W Bush, Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
The comedic use of politics is perfect with Harry Hill’s
style, but it’s the lyrics and music from Steve Brown which brilliantly add so
much more humour, especially in the second act with Osama bin Laden and Saddam
Hussein. Though it is really the incredibly talented cast which make the show work
so well, the characterisations are superb. The highlight is Jack Whittle as
Tony Blair with his perfect mannerisms, the grin, the thumbs and the pose.
Howard Samuels as Peter Mandelson and Dick Cheney highly devilish. One of my
favourites had to be Sally Cheng as Robin Cook – hilarious.
The ensemble is sheer perfection, slick and highly
entertaining.
