Hull Truck’s John Godber studio was all abuzz on Thursday evening, full of theatregoers eager to hear what really happened when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Parliament in 1605.
And who better to tell the story than WIT? Theatre Company members Kluane Saunders, Ross Tomlinson, Lucy Buncombe and Tom O’Kelly.
And as the lights dimmed, aka curtain up, I listened to “their truth” with baited breath while lots of mental “surely nots” “OMGs” and “come off its” ran through my head.
I exaggerate, of course, I didn’t believe a word the four uttered, sang, shouted or sexily whispered, but I thoroughly enjoyed their lies.
The Gunpowder Plot was led by Robert “Robbie” Catesby (Saunders), in a vain attempt to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament to end Protestant rule and install a Catholic monarch. In doing so, getting rid of King James 1 of England, 6th of Scotland.
Catesby’s fellow conspirators were played by Tomlinson and O’Kelly (who both had dual roles as Jamie, I mean King James, and his ample-bosomed wife, Anne of Denmark, respectively).
So far, so good. But the plot thickens (pun intended) when in strolls Guy Fawkes himself, a figure instantly revered by his fellow dimwits, I mean plotters. They even revealed a large banner reading Di – guy – ples, a play on the term disciples (admittedly it had to be explained to us later on).
Fawkes (Buncombe) is obviously the brains of the outfit and soon pushes Catesby’s nose out of joint. Big mistake – one he will come to massively regret later.
Here I must mention my absolutely favourite historical attire of all time – and the four wore them all night long – Sir Walter Raleigh-type, pumpkin-shaped knickers, in brown and beige. Worn with white shirts of the period, white tights and buckled shoes, they all looked a picture; especially King James in his pink, lace-edged pair with the cutest bows at the waist.
The stage setting – with its backdrop of six portraits (I swear one was of Katie Price) – featured wooden boxes, a plank, a pink throne covered in a red tartan throw, a couple of tambourines and a very talented keyboard player, who did a magnificent job creating the relevant atmosphere when needed.
After finally deciding on the date of November 5 – one excuse discarding other dates included “I’m having my dog put down” – the four agreed to Fawkes’ idea of using gunpowder and storing it in an underground shed until the hapless bunch were ready to light the fuse.
They all had their instructions – unfortunately for Robbie, his was to have sex with the King (I’ve put it politely – the f word was used aplenty).
The smooth-talking King soon had Robbie wrapped around his little finger, as well as his HUGE, pus-infected foot. The scene in which Robbie pretended to be a doctor and drained the pus, was horrendous. Yuk! But “love” blossomed between the two, leading to a betrayal that saw the plotters’ downfall.
This alternative story of the infamous Gunpowder Plot was full of energetic shenanigans, with all four actors having wonderful singing voices, as well as loud and clear speaking voices.
Talking of loud, clear voices, the unmistakable tone of Sir Stephen Fry narrated the tale.
And all was accompanied by the aforementioned live music, which greatly added to the production.
For almost 70 minutes we were entertained with fun and games, storytelling, dancing, singing, innuendo and simply daftness, by a group of rebellious “Catholics” determined for their actions to be remembered.
Well, Remember, Remember! is hard to forget. And when, at the show’s end, “Fawkes” set off a huge confetti rocket, it failed, à la 1605! Luckily, another one materialised, ensuring an explosive end to proceedings thoroughly deserving of the rapturous applause from a very happy audience.
Recommended age: 16+
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 18th June 2026
North West End UK Rating: