DR DOLITTLE KILLS A MAN (AND READS EXTRACTS FROM HIS NEW BOOK) at the Museum of Comedy

★★★

“We’re in the land of the surreal, where nothing makes sense until it suddenly does”

His name is Dolittle, Dr John Dolittle, sweaty adventurer, animal linguist and hyper-animated Oxford don. Remember him? He was played by Eddie Murphy in the movies (which he hates).

He wants to share his secrets, read from his new book, take your questions, sell you merch, take you places and have a laugh.

Aidan Pittman performs this genial boffin (yes, we’re firmly in boffin land) and he’s good company. Likeable. Energetic. Busy. He can do quips. He can send himself up. He can fall down. He can riff with the crowd. He lives on that thin sliver of zany that is full of hysterical glee.

The compact Museum of Comedy already resembles an Anderson bomb shelter, so his surreal capers are the perfect fit – straight out of a 1940s derring-do radio show, with something of The Goons in the mix.

After the whirlwind introduction, a debrief on his tricks of the trade (so we can speak mouse), we’re off. The spine of this show – directed by co-writer Hudson Hughes – is his new book. Dolittle plucks a tale at random – some silliness involving a large ruby – and he lets his imagination run riot.

Fun back projection graphics pick out his route across the map Indiana Jones style and we get to trot the globe with our amiable guide on this tiny, tiny stage. He meets his wondrous pals, like the wise old tortoise which makes for good eating. And nasty villains, like the camp Nazi Puffin that Dolittle wants to boot like a rugby ball.

Throughout all this, Pittman carries with him a Greg Davies air of scornful surprise, as if the world can only possibly make sense on his terms.

Halfway in and he can’t stop now because he’s all fired up. He’s the kid on the school coach who drank too many Fruit Shoots, bouncing off the ceiling and endlessly distracted by shiny things. He’s the funny twerp, the galumphing buffoon.

What does it all mean though? What’s the Fountain of Evolution? Why was Charles Darwin so angry? And why is Curious George less inquisitive these days, with no interest in much except for cleaning glasses in his film noir bar?

Well, if that’s what’s bothering you – plot integrity, character growth – you’re in the wrong show, pal. We’re in the land of the surreal, where nothing makes sense until it suddenly does. And that’s the sign you’ve fully arrived in his world. It’s a happy place. Go there.

What a pure hit of giddy fun.

DR DOLITTLE KILLS A MAN (AND READS EXTRACTS FROM HIS NEW BOOK)

★★★

Museum of Comedy

DR DOLITTLE KILLS A MAN (AND READS EXTRACTS FROM HIS NEW BOOK) at the Museum of Comedy

★★★

“We’re in the land of the surreal, where nothing makes sense until it suddenly does”