Spike Milligan’s madcap view of World War II is lovingly brought to life on stage, following his melancholic progress as an artillery gunner, from south coast parade squares to the North African desert and across into Italy.

This surreal odyssey is told in the style of a makeshift concert party for the troops, weaving together a mix of sketches, accounts and anecdotes into the Milligan journey. All of which is performed by Spike and his five musical chums from D battery, complete with some great jazz numbers when they swap rifles for instruments.

The offbeat Milligan take on barrack room camradery makes this a grin laden show. Capturing well the jokes, fag packet philosophy, piss taking and appreciation for a nice cup of tea which made the tedious 98% of khaki time bearable. Also, the same dark humor that holds them together during the harrowing 2% spent taking fire from the Germans and their own side. "Hands up anyone who's not been killed yet. Anyone hurt? Well.. Anyone annoyed then?"

Spike is played with engaging relish by Sholto Morgan, balancing glinting mischievousness with youthful innocence as the oddball jazz trumpeter turned Lance Bombardier. He and the other four cast members muck in with great skill, both spoken and musical, to stitch the story together. Managing to capture the warmth of comradeship and irreverant humor which carried the British war effort through enemy fire, calamity and endless cockups.

It’s a good adaptation of his books, which are split into four covering his wartime years. The show manages to capture a lot of the satirical anger and sadness of loss, although the pace and laughter swiftly carries us on where the book allows us to dwell.

Amusement aside, of which there is much to relish, this is valuable reminder of the general insanity and ludicrous nature of war, lest we forget.

Adolf Hitler: my part in his downfall plays at the Nottingham Theatre Royal from Monday 23 November to Saturday 28 November 2009.