I Don't Beg Pardon

A Musical full of unapologetic lyrics. While the UK struggles with Covid-19, Government makes no apology for its obsession with Brexit; is Johnson the Superman that he aspires to be (in his Greenwich speech) to tackle both challenges? "Why Why Why Corona? "- and is buying bog roll the priority? Boris has Got a Little List, but will he Stay in his House or Flat, as instructed? No - in The Ballad of Dom & Bojo he ventures out,, and becomes ill, but at least under his Herd Immunity strategy he should now be immune.This is followed in Act 2 (Expedition) by Dom's Ditty to Barnard Castle, for which Dom does not Beg Pardon in the Rose Garden. "The Extra Extra Homes of Durham" helps us to understand many motoring trips around County Durham, with an extra verse for a hypothetical extra trip. "Stand By Your Dom" however is our call to the Prime Minister, "and give the country two fingers, you'll hope no memory lingers". And yet it did. Each Act is punctuated by Shakespeare plays adapted for lockdown with dialogue on zoom, dramatically shortened. In Act 3 (Prevention), a triumphal "Song of Idiotic Prejudice" makes clear "Our System, our system, our system is best" as MPs undertake Silly Walks around Parliament, teachers are asked to be Heroes., and we are all asked to "Man Up, Mask Up, Protect Another Life" with tips on preventing a "Second Wave", but an easing of restrictions allows golf to resume with recollections of golfing under enemy fire in Richmond in the 1940s. In an Interlude familiar witches chant "When Shall We Three Tweet Again?", gleefully announcing "We will all befoul the air". Act 4 (Distraction) reminds us that although thousands of people are dying, and "We're Still Waiting" for the Russian interference report the Government has higher priorities, as we see in "Portaloo Brexit" and in the magnificent finale to Act 4 "Britannia Waives the Rules". After further Shakespeare it is time for Act 5 (Congestion, Reflection, and Reward of the Undeserving). The Virus Cometh to Call month after month in what seems like a never-ending cycle. Ambridge is not forgotten as the Archers explore who can be blamed for Covid 19 and for the Brexit debacle. Lords of Delight recounts the splendid rewards available for the undeserving, while in Kent an awesome Convoy of stationary vehicles is assembled. Lessons must be learned, and Public Inquiry Nightmare tracks the progress (or lack of it) on the public inquiry. The songs are inspired by, among others, Gilbert & Sullivan, Flanders & Swann, Shakespeare, the Beatles, Elvis, the Who, Lynn Anderson, Tammy Wynette, David Bowie, Noel Coward, Bob Marley, The Archers, Youmi Zuma, Diana Ross, CW McCall, Tom Jones, Leonard Cohen, Queen, Men in Black. and several musicals and traditional songs. This album offers something for all satirical musical tastes. The pages are seasoned with other goodies such as topical limericks and pithy reasons for not going to work. A book for your bedside, your coffee table or where...