It was time for nostalgia with the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of ‘Ying Tong- A Walk with the Goons’ by British playwright Roy Smiles.

Smiles play is set in 1960 after Spike Milligan has had a nervous breakdown. The breakdown mainly resulted from the pressure of having to write Goon show scripts for some nine years. He is stuck in St Luke’s Psychiatric Hospital in London, portrayed by designer Michael Scott-Mitchell as a dark, barren, cold place. His mind is constantly playing tricks with him. Though fiercely encouraged by his colleagues, a question hangs over Spike. He is in such a bad way…will he ever write another Goon show script again?!

‘Ying Tong’ was a stimulating theatrical experience. was a mixture of an experience. One got to enjoy the four Goons as well as ‘seeing’ many of the colourful characters that Milligan created. Though the play was a lot of fun, the cloud of Milligan’s depression hung over it.

Richard Cottrell directed the production with a strong cast. Geoff Kelso was great as the quick witted Spike Milligan, Jonathon Biggins was the complex Peter Sellers, David James played the very good natured Welsh comic and singer, Harry Secombe, and Tony Harvey played the role of Wallace Greenslade, the Goon Show’s classic BBC radio master of ceremonies.