Review: Dr. Strangelove (Noël Coward Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A dream screen pairing reunites in the hopes of recreating their magic on stage as I’m Alan Partridge writer Armando Iannucci once again teams up with its star Steve Coogan to bring West End audiences the world premiere the first stage adaptation of a Stanley Kubrick classic with his comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove. Bringing a new twist to a story that many have loved for 60 years,  would audiences fall in love with this new take or would they find it a bit, well, strange?

Premiering in 1964, Stanley Kubrick’s movie Dr. Strangelove has stood the test of time in the decades since, still as loved today as it was when it was first released and widely considered to be one of the best comedies ever made. This black comedy is set around a rogue U.S General who triggers a nuclear crisis. As the action flits from the heat of battle, the war room and even the skies of Russia, we meet a group of eccentric characters… all played by one man.

That man is, of course, Steve Coogan. Not content with playing one character in Dr. Strangelove, he switches between four characters, seemingly spending half of the show changing from one character to the other using great stage trickery and body doubles. These four characters allow Coogan to experiment with his versatility as an actor, delivering four very different characters, varying in eccentricity but never dipping in quality.

As Captain Mandrake, Coogan channels a nervous, slightly naïve and slightly annoying Brit whose main purpose seems to be being abused by those in higher power than him. With his take on Major TJ Kong, Coogan gives a larger-than-life performance in a couple of brief but immensely memorable sequences. Perhaps his President Muffley is the least effective of the four due to its straight man nature, not giving him much wiggle room in terms of comedy but allowing for a break from the madness of his other three characters.

The fourth and final is the titular character, Dr. Strangelove. While we’re in for a wait to see this character for the first time, it is more than worth it as Coogan delivers a true masterclass performance with perfect comedic execution in a wickedly funny characterisation. Taking the essence of the character familiar to those who have seen the movie, Doogan puts his own spin on the role too, adding in some new eccentricities and ensuring the next laugh is far away in a performance that can only be described as “correct”.

Stanley Kubrick’s original writing has been faultlessly adapted by Armando Iannucci and Sean Foley, effortlessly translating the story for the stage. Though the subject matter is dark to say the least and some of the comedy may be near-the-knuckle and perhaps not to everybody’s taste, I found myself roaring away with laughter at a show whose serious subject is peppered with silliness. Brilliant one-liners, punchlines and plenty of visual gags made this a wonderfully written production that always ensured I was grinning from ear to ear.

Sean Foley’s direction furthers the strength of the writing, navigating a jaw-dropping set to deliver comic excellence – it is the direction behind Coogan’s take on Dr. Strangelove himself that showcase the strength of all involved here, furthering the character known from the movie with even more quirks. While the quick changes from one of Coogan’s characters to another aren’t as quick as you may see in other shows, their delivery is still joyous to see. Surprising musical moments including a truly unexpected yet brilliant opening immerse you into this crazy world instantly, with the whole thing coming across as fairly bonkers… and joyfully so.

Hildegard Bechtler has created an incredible feat in set design, bringing one of the most exquisite, intricate and striking designs the West End has seen in years. Transitioning from one setting to the other, it is the stunning nature of the war room, grand and bold in scale that sets the bar high, though this is matched by the appearance of a plane in the second act. Huge video screens feature phenomenal projections from Akhila Krishnan, incredibly satisfying in their delivery and providing some exceptional effects. Jessica Hung Han Yun’s lighting matches the high quality seen elsewhere to create a visually stimulating and always exciting production.

Of course, Dr. Strangelove isn’t a one-man-show… or four men in this case, I guess. Joining Steve Coogan in bringing this story to life is the always amazing Giles Terera who delights as General Turgidson, managing to  bring his own comedic moments to life as well as his inimitable vocals, demonstrating why he is an Olivier award winner. John Hopkins is fantastic in his approach to General Ripper with his no-nonsense, cutting remarks providing perfect comic fodder for Coogan to respond to. Among a consistently impressive cast, Tony Jayawardena provides one of the standouts with a hilariously over-the-top performance as Russian Ambassador Bakov.

Dr. Strangelove is an incredibly stylish show with some of the best visuals you will see on any stage this year. It isn’t simply a case of style over substance though with riotously funny writing and superb direction to be experienced throughout. What elevates it to the next level, however, is in the sensational performance from Steve Coogan. Experiencing him at his comic best, this show gives him plenty of opportunities to demonstrate his immeasurable talents and create one (or four) of the most memorable performances in theatre this year. I didn’t know what to expect going into this show but I came out of the theatre still smiling from the brilliance of this mind-blowing production. If the world was about to end and this was the last thing I watched in the theatre, I can think of worse ways to go.

Dr. Strangelove plays at the Noel Coward Theatre until 25th January 2025.

Tickets available here

Photos by Manuel Harlan