Terry Johnson’s bleak, black 1994 comedy is at its least amusing when the cast is trying its hardest to be funny – but that’s rather the point as the fundamentally humourless members of the Dead Funny Society get together to re-enact favourite (and now not particularly amusing) skits and sketches made famous by once popular comedy greats from Benny Hill to Frankie Howerd, from Norman Wisdom to Ernie Wise.  But this is really a portrayal of a miserably unsatisfying marriage which (despite scheduled sex therapy sessions) is probably way past repair

It’s April 1992, Benny Hill has just died and consultant obstetrician Richard, much to his wife Eleanor’s annoyance, is holding a memorial evening sparsely attended by Steve Pemberton’s camp Brian and equally discontented new parents Nick (Ralf Little) and Lisa (Emily Berrington), who claims to be psychic.

%TNT Magazine% Katherine Parkinson Eleanor Steve Pemberton Brian Rufus Jones Richard Emily Berrington Lisa and Ralf Little Nick by

credit: Grace Wordsworth

Eleanor is fed up with these overgrown children – what she really wants is a baby. Rufus Jones’ Richard (called upon to lie downstage, bollock-naked, as she inspects – but can’t bear to touch – his genitals) doesn’t seem to care – for reasons which soon become apparent. Stuck in this sterile relationship, Katherine Parkinson’s excellent Eleanor is both truly touching and very funny, her deadpan delivery highlighting the desolation of a woman for whom time is running out.

Johnson (who also directs) depicts the pervading unhappiness with biting humour – and a very large bowl of trifle. Trousers are dropped, skirts are lifted and entrances are made at the most inopportune moments – but there’s no doubt that tears are lurking just below the surface of this highly entertaining comedy.

Vaudeville, Strand WC2R 0NH

Tube: Charing Cross

Until 4th February 2017

£19.50 – £57.00  + premium seats

DeadFunnyThePlay.com