After Spike Milligan's death, a small library of books were produced by all manner of people who either knew him, or researched him. Some of these are serious biographies, some are expose's - John Antrobus' "Surviving Spike Milligan" is something else, quite different altogether.
Antrobus was a writing-partner of Milligan's, collaborating with Spike on numerous projects from Goon-Show scripts, at Associated London Scripts, and on-and-off throughout Milligan's life. The book he has produced neither tells the story of the man's life - nor seeks to dig the dirt; rather it confronts the reader with the experience of life with The Milligan, which was in turns hilarious, disturbing, perplexing, insane and heartbreaking. Antrobus manages to capture the enigma that was Milligan, through stories, anecdotes, snippets from scripts, recollections of dialogue and examples of some of the flights of imagination that could characterise their writing sessions. What gives this book its charm is the way in which Antrobus writes. He approaches this book, not as a detached, dispassionate historian, rather as a fellow-conspirator in Milligan's rapid-firing quest to expose and ridicule the lunacy of life.
Milligan strangely managed to maintain his status of being a national treasure, despite the fact that everyone who met him points out how appalling he could actually be at times. Antrobus' book doesn't hide this either - but with great affection (and I suppose grace) he doesn't let this side of Milligan's character to lessen his appreciation and indeed love for the great man. Milligan's eccentric comic genius is almost universally acknowledged; his frequent bouts of extreme mental illness is equally well-known. Antrobus, reflects on the hilarious times, as well as the dark moments, when the sign "I am very ill" would appear on Milligan's office door, and he would shut himself in for days - or check into a clinic for sedation, when life was just too painful to face.
This book contains numerous asides about the author himself, but it's well-written, so it hardly matters. it also contains many, many hilarious moments, nostalgic recollections, and moments of genuinely deep sadness. Milligan emerges as not just the mad-cap, rapier witted comic known from his many radio and TV appearances, but as a complex and most unusual personality. Staggeringly crushed and yet monstrously egotistical; frivolously generous but shockingly selfish; an insane man raging at the insanity of it all - all can be said of Milligan.
What comes out most strongly though, was Milligan's restlessly brilliant comic mind, which could dissect any situation instantly, in order to raid its comic potential. Nothing was easier prey than social mores and taboos, which might usually be politely negotiated - but through which Milligan would deliberately crash, where he thought they were mad. Who cannot help but laugh when they read that Milligan greeted the news of the death of his old friend, the comic and singer Harry Secombe; with the words, "I'm glad he died before me - otherwise I would have had to have him singing at my funeral". In The Dustbin Dance, Milligan takes the famous "there may be trouble ahead - let's face the music and dance" motif; but in his twisted mind it is lunatics who face the miseries of life by leaping into dustbins and dancing. Naturally Milligan casts himself in the lead-bin.
Of all the Milligan books, this one I think is perhaps my favourite, as it so brilliantly explores the man's mind - without pages of analysis, but with many bizarre recollections and observations. I conclude with a quote from the book, (p61), Antrobus' recollections of a mealtime conversation between Milligan and Harry Secombe, a lovely picture of Goon-ish humour.
Harry Secombe comes in blowing a large raspberry.
"It's all in the mind, folks! I've just been to the doctor about this terrible wind! He issued a Force Nine gale warning to all shipping and prescribed three tins of baked beans daily... take one every half-mile. So at least I'm getting excercise...."
He blew another raspberry and sat down at the table, full of giggles. Spike looked indignant.
"You'll get us thrown out of this restaurant, you mad fool!"
"I've just been thrown into it, Spike. A strange co-incidence, wouldn't you say?"
Harry blew another raspberry. Spike crossed his eyes.
"I will inform the management it's dangerous to feed you."
"That's alright. I brought a sandwhich. Do you know what's inside it?"
Spike: Yes - everything that's not outside it. Including me.
Harry: Correct!
Spike: You force me to eat elsewhere
Harry: I thought this was elsewhere. A moment ago I said, I'm going elsewhere - and I came here.
Spike: As soon as you go somewhere else, it stops being elsewhere.
Harry: That's terrifying. You mean.... as soon as I get there, it's here?
Spike: Exactly. The only way to keep somewhere elsewhere, is never to go there.
Harry: How fascinating! So it's all here then? The whole damn thing?
Spike: It was here all the time.
Harry: You're right!.... (Shouts) Waiter! Waiter damn you! Set fire to your trousers and bring me a menu immediately!
The waiter approaches with a menu, smiling, in the game.
Waiter: Yes, Sir. Coming Mr Secombe.
Harry: I haven't got time to eat today. I'll just have a bill, please.
Waiter: How big would you like it, Mr Secombe, sir?
Harry: What would you suggest?
Waiter: Twenty-Seven pounds velly good today.
Harry: Splendid. That's sounds right to me. I'll have that. And while I'm waiting I'll have lunch.
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