Unimportant History Reviews

It’s a relief to see a new resident theatre company at the Lion and Unicorn, and with its production of The Unimportant History of Britain, Giant Olive suggests the venue is in safe hands.

‘Churchill: five minutes on the royals’

THREE contestants sit down for a game of Just a Minute. BEEP! “Hesitation,” exclaims Joseph Stalin, “there was a pause so big I could drive tank right through.” Winston Churchill looks dejected; at any other time speaking about the Royal Family for 12 seconds would be easy. Gandhi sits rubbing a sore spot inflicted by Stalin.

Giant Olive Theatre Company's cast of three offered up a comedic look at the less important bits of British history; from the Dark Ages through to the 20th Century.

This new comedy, from production company Interrupt the Routine (a silly yet appropriate name to be attached to the kind of intimate revue that is, sadly rare these days), purports to give us a view of Britain never seen in the history books.

Blackwood and Cowell are a clever couple who perform their own script, joined by Polly Eachus, giving it a relaxed zaniness that delighted its first night audience. From Blake/Parry ‘Jerusalem’ to Land of Hope and glory this is a very British piece with a very British sense of humour, though from the reactions of party of Americans in the audience you don’t have to be well-versed in Our Island Story to enjoy it.