Dr. Strangelove ★★★★ Noël Coward Theatre | Oct 8, 2024 - Jan 25, 2025


Stanley Kubrick's classic film of 1964 was a dark satire on the stockpiling of nuclear weapons and the policy of mutual deterrence. When an unprovoked nuclear war is triggered by a mentally unstable American general, the folly of the political and military classes is exposed. Despite maintaining this bleak basic premise, the current theatrical version comes off as more of spoof than a satire. There is a great deal of silliness and some very funny running gags, and if possible, the characters seem even more exaggerated than in the original. Steve Coogan takes on the multiple roles played by the unforgettable Peter Sellers (Dr. Strangelove, Captain Mandrake and President Muffley), and he also adds that of Major TJ Kong to his repertoire, a character which Sellers ended up not playing in the original film. Coogan's versatility is impressive, and while he manages to individuate each of these personae, it is his performance as the ex-Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove, that really stands out. As the blustering and belligerent General Ripper, who orders the crazy pre-emptive nuclear strike because he thinks that water fluoridation has been polluting his bodily fluids, John Hopkins also puts in a wonderfully over-the-top performance. His bombast stands in hilarious contrast to Mark Hadfield's portrayal of the President's sycophantic sidekick. Full points to Hadfield who manages to brilliantly personify the notion of befuddled bureaucratic servility. Hildegard Bechtler's set design is quite ingenious, and her creation of the War Room and the rogue bomber are simply terrific. This is a Dr. Strangelove that should delight, and slightly terrify, a new generation who has probably never seen the film. It will probably also make many want to go back and watch the original. It leaves us wondering how writer Terry Southern and director Kubrick might have addressed society's current nemesis, Artificial Intelligence. It certainly doesn't inspire much confidence in government's ability to deal with this latest challenge to humanity, but with this current theatrical version of Dr. Strangelove there are some great moments of gallows humour.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Manuel Harlan

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When, Where, Getting there:
Map & Location: Noel Coward Theatre, 85-88 St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4AU, UK

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