Spitting Image to hit the West End – with Boris Johnson set to take centre stage

A live production of satirical comedy Spitting Image will hit the West End next year.

The original series of the popular sketch show ran from 1984 to 1996 and it made its return to screens for the first time in 2020, on subscription platform Britbox.

A second series in September saw sporting stars Gareth Southgate, Marcus Rashford and this year’s sports personality of the year Emma Raducanu all receiving the Spitting Image treatment.

The show’s creators have hinted that the prime minister will feature heavily throughout the live production and say that the show, “unlike Boris [Johnson]”, will be delivered “with no shortcuts”.

The show’s poster parodies the iconic West End musical Lion King, presenting the prime minister’s puppet with the words: “Coming Soon: ‘Spitting Image Live’ featuring The Liar King.”

“The last month has shown Spitting Image has been far too kind to Boris and his pals on TV recently,” said co-creator Roger Law.

“Whilst Boris and his boys and girls level themselves ever upwards to the sunny uplands… we are preparing to level them down to size in a West End theatrical show.”

Law said he did not want to give too much away as the show is still being written, but added: “There will be lies because it’s Boris.”

He continued: “I can tell you that we have devised a spectacular show-stopping ending, a huge carnival head of Boris that fills the stage will open its mouth and spew a snowstorm of paper lies all over the theatre.

“The lies printed on small pieces of paper will flutter down on to the audience who will be able to pick up their favourite Boris untruths and take them home as mementos.”

Spitting Image ran for 18 series and at its peak was watched by 15 million viewers.

Since its return, well-known faces such as Dominic Cummings, Greta Thunberg, Donald Trump and Harry and Meghan have all featured on the show.

The live show will be produced by Avalon.