Revolution!!

Hard to describe in a way that conveys how funny this was. The two grey-suited men (Desmond "Olivier" Dingle and his put-upon sidekick Wallace) re-enact major events of the French Revolution, assuming various characters by using differing headgear and occasional shawls.

The weirdest thing I remember about this is how surprisingly moving was their portrayal of the farewell scene between Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Even though it's clearly two English blokes in boring suits, the emotion came across, especially from Wallace/Marie Antoinette. No wonder Jim Broadbent went on to get an Oscar.

Strongly recommend this if you ever get the chance to see it. Even my French brother-in-law (very French, not a fan of TV, not a fan of much British humour) thought this was good.

I have followed the National Theatre of Brent through a great many productions and a good number of cast changes (other than Wallace, that is) but this is the high point. The format is as old as the double-act: the idiot who knows everything and the idiot who knows nothing. The two of them (Desmond Olivier Dingle & Wallace) always alone and always in modern day suits whether they are enacting epic battle scenes or intimate romantic encounters.

Revolution!! combines laugh-out-loud pompous idiocy, manic flailing improvisation and, at times, genuinely involving and moving moments. This is the peak of their absurdity, and a better insight into history than many a serious drama. Catch it if you can.