By Jove, Robertson & Collett play to a full house

Posted on 28th July 2023

What does a theatre company do when cast, props and sets are stuck in a van that’s broken down on the M6? As everyone knows, the golden rule is the show must go on. Gavin Robertson & Nicholas Collett take that central premise and run with in this shameless farce, as two actors gamely plough on, despite the absence of the other four members of their company. They don’t so much break the fourth wall as batter it into submission with this parody of a Sherlock Holmes adventure.

Both actors have impressive CVs, which perhaps explains why they performed to such a large crowd at the Corn Hall. Nicholas Collett was excellent is his one man show about Shakespeare that he brought to the Burston Arms some years ago, while Gavin Robertson is best known for his ground breaking eighties hit, Thunderbirds FAB. As far back as 2010 I recall seeing them together in the poignant Six Sided Man, based on Luke Rhinehart’s Dice man. Done to Death by Jove is a lot sillier, with the self-styled Sir Gavin and Sir Nicholas wearing hats, and lots of them, in a desperate attempt to keep the show on the road.

Character comedy, light hearted banter and audience interaction kept things zipping along in this frenetic, good natured romp that was, in truth, one joke played out over the length of the evening. But they are such personable pair, with such an obvious bond, that was easy to forgive a little repetition. I was reminded of the partnership between Terry Scott and Huge Lloyd, before June Whitfield broke up the pair – silly men making fools of themselves, all the while trying to cling onto their dignity. If you’re a fan of the Play That Went Wrong franchise, this is the show for you.