Spitting Image Live: What the critics said

Reviews round-up

Spitting Image Live: Idiots Assemble opened at the Rep Theatre in Birmingham last night. Here’s what the critics thought.

Telegraph

Dominic Cavendish loved the show, saying in a five-star write-up: ‘The evening triumphs through technical slickness, loving attention to detail, a high gag-rate and character-count and a trenchant storyline’ and saying its ‘barrel-load of offence-giving fun and a salty dash of rebellion’ is just what the nation needs. Full review

The Times

All the other critics here gave it three stars. In the Times, Dominic Maxwell summed up the overall feeling by being impressed by a show ‘that is dazzling from a technical perspective’ but felt the writing felt short, concluding: ‘As an excuse to see these creations in action, it’s fun. As a satirical fantasy, it’s jolly but conservative.’ Full review

Guardian

‘The puppeteers are the stars of this two-hour show,’ writes Rachel Healey. ‘But the bulk of the joke-writing is predictable, leaning into cliches, catchphrases and obvious punchlines.’ Full review

Chortle

In another mixed review Steve Bennett praised the puppetry and the technical ingenuity – as well as the spectacle of some of the set pieces, but strung together with ‘a laboured storyline [and] considerable chunks that struggle to land a punch’. Full review

Diane Parkes expressed a similar sentiment, writing: ‘Spitting Image worked by being short, sharp and merciless and this is where this stage show has its problem. In setting out to create a two-hour narrative, it ties itself in knots.’ Full review

There’s not been much comment on Twitter, but here’s one punter who loved it.

Spitting Image tonight. Brilliant rumbustious satire at its best. I got through the Thatcherite 80s with the TV show. This live version exceeded all expectations although induced a Spasm of fear seeing Maggie reincarnated. Get a ticket if you can @BirminghamRep pic.twitter.com/koFZDfc0Hi
— Prof Colin Diamond CB(@Anfieldexile) February 16, 2023