Drop The Dead Donkey cast's touching tribute to city star at the Playhouse

It's hard to believe it's been nearly 34 years since Drop The Dead Donkey first debuted on Channel 4.

The ground-breaking comedy, set in the newsroom of fictional network GlobeLink News, was something almost entirely new. A classic workplace sitcom that served up-to-the-minute gags on the week's events.

Much like satirical news quiz Have I Got News For You, which incidentally also began screening in 1990, it was filmed as close to its air time as possible, meaning its jokes were as current - and cutting - as possible.

READ MORE: Eric Clapton says 'for Jurgen' as fans sing at M&S Bank Arena

READ MORE: Primark praised for 'gorgeous' maxi dress that looks 'incredible on curvy women'

Sadly, I'm old enough to remember the series when it first aired. In fact, I'm old enough to still occasionally use some of the ludicrously wonderful corporate gobbledygook that was gleefully spouted by network chief Gus Hedges on a weekly basis.

There was a definite buzz at the Playhouse last night as the audience took their seats, fans of the show keen to get a fresh dose of Drop The Dead Donkey magic.

I don't want to get to give the plot away, so we'll just say the former GlobeLink staffers are now working for Truth News, a new, cutting edge 24-hour news channel which has some mysterious backers.

It's lovely to see the entire cast, bar David Swift (Henry), who died in 2016, and Haydn Gwynne (Alex), who died last year, have reunited for this production, which has been written by the show's original creators Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin.

One by one the characters arrive on stage from downtrodden George, cheeky charmer Dave and snooty Sally, to cutthroat newshound Damian, eminently sensible Helen, unctuous Gus and the vaguely threatening Joy.

Each receive a cheer and a warm round of applause, and within minutes it feels like these characters have never been out of your life. There's a couple of new faces to keep the story interesting, with Kerena Jagpal playing Rita, and Julia Hills playing the Bafta winning investigative journalist, Mairead.

The set is bright and obnoxious, and it's not hard to see where Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin have drawn their inspiration. Clever use of lighting, together with the large, overhead video screen, sees the cast able to swap from newsroom to studio in the blink of an eye - and even on occasion, out into the street.

The play is packed with political satire, pointed observations, in fighting and wry humour, as all around chaos reigns as the channel's launch date approaches.

There's a standing ovation at the end of the show, as the cast gather at the front of the stage. On the screen behind, pictures of Liverpool-born David Swift and Haydn Gwynne appear, which the cast all give a nod to. It was a touching moment, and one that was not lost on the audience.

The show felt like a warm nostalgic hug, and left me hoping it won't be the we see of this wonderful cast.

Drop The Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! runs at the Playhouse until Saturday, May 18.

Receive top stories on everything going on in Merseyside including events, shopping and food and drink through our newsletter by signing up here