GenQ - For the not so straight individual

A Catholic and a Jewish knee-footed leprechaun, a Doctor Strangelove look-a-like psychiatrist, a naked tailor, a lunatic brandishing a potato peeler and the threat of a 'mince enema' – are all critters and musings from the imagination of British playwright Roy Smiles' rollicking play, Ying Tong – A Walk With The Goons. A dramatic journey to the centre of Goon comic genius - Spike Milligan's mind of lost marbles at the time of his mental breakdown.

Considered to be the most influential comedians of the second half of the 20th century, The Goon Show was a British radio show that started in 1951 and ran until 1960. Created by Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe, it changed the face of British comedy and still maintains its influence to this day at 5.30 am every Friday morning on Radio National. 

The time is...somewhere between 1951 and 1960... shooting back and forth in the mind of comic genius, Spike Milligan (Geoff Kelso). It jumps between the Goon's radio appearances and Spike's time in a mental institution, where he's visited by flashbacks of radio announcer Wallace Greenslade (Tony Harvey), Dr Strangelove and many of Peter Sellers (Jonathan Biggins) other characters, and the singing Welshman himself, Harry Secombe (David James).

The play is both touching and extremely funny. Quite often at the same time, and has to be seen to be believed. The impersonations of the Goons is absolutely uncanny! You would swear they're still alive. If the play has one flaw, it would be that some younger audience members may not even know who the Goons were.
If this is what theatre has to offer, then it has a very bright future!

PICTURED: L-R David James, Tony Harvey and Jonathan Biggins

Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 166 or visit www.mtc.com.au

Performance Schedule: Mon & Tue 6.30pm, Wed 1pm & 8pm (no mat 20 Jun), Thu & Fri 8pm, Sat 4pm & 8.30pm (23 Jun 2pm & 8pm)

Ticket Prices: $16-$72.10

Following its Melbourne season, YING TONG tours to Sydney's Glen Street Theatre from 1 Aug; Wollongong from 15 Aug, Brisbane from 19 Aug; Newcastle from 12 Sep, Geelong from 20 Sep and Hobart from 27 Sep.