BBC Studios, out now

The grotesques from Royston Vasey, as played by Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, release a live DVD of their 47-night UK theatre and arena tour just in time for Christmas, with a reprise of classic sketches and a continuation of the 2017 anniversary specials.

It was 2005 when The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You! toured the UK with their pantomime-themed show. It was the same year as their movie The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse, and it looked like this was the end of the phenomenon as the creatives moved on to other projects (Psychoville, Sherlock, Inside No. 9). But then, like a bolt out of the blue, it was announced that we were getting three anniversary specials for Christmas 2017, and the new tour was announced shortly after they aired (possibly waiting to see if there was still an audience for the troupe).

The DVD was filmed at the Eventim Apollo in London in September. The first act sees Messrs Gatiss, Pemberton and Shearsmith play multiple roles in tuxedos, wearing the occasional wig or prop to help define gender or character. It doesn’t matter, as the voices and mannerisms immediately brought the comedy favourites to life – Pop, Pam Doove and more. Apart from a riff on Mr & Mrs, all sketches were old favourites, playing against a projected backdrop of a theatre backstage.

The second act is a very different beast, with all characters performed in full costume and make-up. There are some incredibly rapid changes, occasionally helped by some pre-recorded ‘advice’ by toxic cleric Bernice to buy a little time. After a reminder of what happened to Tubbs at the end of the specials (abducted via a bogus photo booth) we see the separated Tattsyrups sing a lovely Disney parody ballad before Lazarou arrives. Thought that Pauline was dead? Nope, it was all a ruse for the insurance money, as the officious job restart tyrant viciously addressed audience members as ‘dole scum’, picking on the cheapskates in the balcony.

In a scene featuring three forms of bodily fluid fountains, toad-loving Dentons Val and Harvey torment nephew Benjamin in the most outrageous way. James Herriot vet spoof Dr Chinnery is let loose on a panda with a giant laser (what possibly could go wrong?) and in a scene that made me laugh so heartily I was close to crying, deviant foreign exchange student leader Herr Lipp invited victims to the stage to be subjected to the most hilarious single and double entendres and explicit innuendo.

it’s just a shame that while the world has moved on to Blu-Ray and 4K the only way to currently buy this release is on old school format DVD. No doubt this keeps the price point attractive for a gift and is no different to all other League releases, but such a redundant format is a limiting choice. As for extras, it’s only an animated photo gallery, with no behind the scenes material or ‘special stuff’.

Verdict: The Perfect Christmas stocking filler for the ‘Local’ in your life – those who missed the show or those who want to re-live it will find plenty to laugh at over 105 minutes. It’s just a shame that the format and lack of extras don’t show the same level of love that the League have shown their fans. 8/10

Nick Joy