Ay Up, Hitler! is being performed by Gamma Ray Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, suggests that Hitler never died, but rather himself and three prominent Nazis escaped after Germany lost the Second World War and have relocated undercover in Yorkshire until he can create his Fourth Reich.
The actual basis of the plot is rather intriguing and there is comparisons to today’s society which do provide interesting and thought provoking ideas. Having the performance end with two prominent political figures of today’s society does allow the audience to think about the extreme views that are even today, and how extremism is still a political issue.
Moments when the fourth wall were broken were my favourite, in which the actors acknowledged that there was a script and they themselves laughed. For me this did add to the comedic value.
However, I felt that the jokes crossed the line at times. There were several jokes that made me uncomfortable and that I would say are categorically not funny, which definitely decreased my overall score. It felt like the writer had understood that there would be the potential to have criticism, as there was a section that is written into the performance which acknowledge the risky nature of their jokes. There was also a scene in which they did say it sounded like they were defending Hitler, as they were acknowledging his achievements.
The stage was very visible and the raised seating meant that there was a clear view of the stage. I would like to note that there was a section in which the lights were shined onto the audience, and Hitler in the style of Take Me Out went and looked at women in the audience. This would definitely be something to bear in mind when choosing your seat.
Overall, Ay Up, Hitler! was comedic, but at points felt as if it crossed the line.
Ay Up, Hitler! is on theSpace @ Surgeons Hall at 22:15 until the 26 August, with the exception of the 13. Tickets are available: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22Ay%20Up%2C%20Hitler!%22
Image provided to The Student as press material by theSpaceUK.