Oh! What a Shitty War

For those who didn't think Team America was liberal enough comes this: an alternative history of warfare, with puppets. Rammed with gags for those for whom Stupid White Men represents a wade into the deep end, it's essentially sixty minutes of utterly puerile nonsense.

Oh! What a Shitty War from the Shitty Deal Theatre Company is indeed rather shitty. For £8, audiences are treated to so-bad-it's-good scenery and props, with Mr Potato Head standing in for Islamic Insurgent No.1 and Action Man popping up in a number of remarkably similar roles. Most of the rest are basically sweary socks.

There's a rough and knowingly generic plot, where Barbie must be rescued from the clutches of the aforementioned tuber terrorists. This is only a distraction, though, as most of the show is a piecemeal history of war as told through the eyes of someone who really hates President Bush II. Yet for all its lack of depth, the foul-mouthed puppets manage to keep the crowd giggling for most of the 40-minute show, which is peppered with at least enough Stone & Parker-esque comedy invective to pass the time.

If there's a show that pushes its luck this year, this is it. Basking in a healthy critical reception for the second year running, those pulling the strings here must be laughing themselves to the bank. And while shitty is and shitty does, Oh! What a Shitty War pushes the right buttons enough times to safely tread water.