I know that Simon Nye is known for more than More Behaving Badly, but I really hope he’ll forgive me for bringing it up in the first sentence of this blog post (Neil Morrissey? consider this your 5 minute warning…).

A 90s teenager, Men Behaving Badly (cough, the BBC years) was indeed a jewel in my televisual viewing crown (yes, I did that too).

The framed tarantula on the wall, the lager mitt, the shed sauna, Ken down The Crown, George and Anthea, Gary and Dorothy, Tony and Debs,

I was going to say that The Crown Jewels also features men behaving badly (and women – equality) but that’s tenuous and corny. And oh I did it anyway.

I did my own little trip to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London a couple of years ago. A bizarre experience. Visitors stand stationary on a kind of travellator which sort of circles said jewels, as though we were the dishes on offer at Yo Sushi and said jewels are the hungry diners, ready to pluck out their chosen visitor. To eat.

It’s all gone somewhat surreal so back to the subject in hand.

The Crown Jewels is a riotous new comedy based on the most unbelievable royal caper in British history. Charismatic and unpredictable Colonel Blood is planning the greatest heist of all time: stealing the Crown Jewels in plain sight. With a gang of misfits by his side, what could possibly go wrong? But Charles II can’t afford a royal scandal, and no King likes people handling their Crown Jewels…

Straight from the West End, written by BAFTA-nominated creator of The Durrells and Men Behaving Badly, Simon Nye, and directed by multi-Olivier Award winner Sean Foley (Upstart Crow, The Ladykillers), The Crown Jewels has comedy royalty all over it. And that’s before we get to the cast.

Al Murray. Al Murray, Al Murray, Al Murray.

With the glorious Mel Giedroyc hot on his royal gold heels, this production is a platform for the brilliant Al Murray. His wondrous interpretation of Charles II (no less) is a contender for knocking The Pub Landlord off his comedy podium as best Murray alter-ego. The sheer Leslie Phillips of it all.

When he wasn’t on stage, you wanted him to be on stage and we were at least thrown a bone by having him take on a secondary role as Mr Edwards, guardian (not a very good one) of the jewels.

In a production which felt Blackadder meets panto, (in only the best ways), this farce, this romp, this riotous royal re-telling was made richer by the audience interactions.

If you have tickets in the front row, prepare to become honorary members of the cast and the subject of a running gag which flows right through to the second half. Special shout-out to Ste and Karen from Warrington, the Gigantor and the Swineherd.

With performances from Carrie Hope Fletcher, Inbetweeners’ Joe Thomas, Aidan McArdle, Tanvi Virmani and, fanfare, Neil Morrissey (who was funny but in my opinion, somewhat underused? Perhaps that’s on me and my fixation with Men Behaving Badly…), the ensemble worked hard to bring us some good old bawdy, British entertainment.

With a few knowing references to our current monarchy thrown in and some brief musical overtures to bring in and see out the scenes, it was a gloriously smutty, sweary, satirical, silly two hours of comedy theatre which will make you laugh. And what more can you ask for (maybe a cameo by the lager mitt).

The Crown Jewels is on at The Lowry Theatre, Salford until Saturday 23 September. For tickets and further details, visit;

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/the-crown-jewels/

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Cast

Al Murray, with his alter-ego The Pub Landlord, is one of the most successful British comedians, with over twenty years of sell-out and award-winning shows in the West End and arenas across the UK, as well as his own hugely popular WWII podcast and extensive TV career. Carrie Hope Fletcher is an actress, author, vlogger and award-winning West End sensation (Cinderella, Les Misérables, Heathers, The Addams Family). Mel Giedroyc is the much-loved TV presenter, writer, actress, well-known for her work alongside Sue Perkins and on shows such as The Great British Bake Off, panel shows and sitcoms as well as on stage, most recently in the Olivier award-winning Company. Joe Thomas is an actor, comedian and writer best known as Simon in the multi-award winning E4 show The Inbetweeners and Kingsley in Fresh Meat. Neil Morrissey is one of the country’s most popular television actors, well-known for numerous TV programmes such as the BBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly and the critically acclaimed Line Of Duty, alongside many stage productions including as Fagin in Oliver and Nathan in Guys and Dolls. Aidan McArdle is one of Ireland’s best-loved actors, with a long TV career including Jane Eyre, Mr Selfridge and Ridley. Tanvi Virmani is a recent acting graduate, making her professional stage debut as Miranda in Theatre Royal Bath’s The Tempest and her West End debut as Rani in Life of Pi.