TO SPIKE MILLIGAN, the Second World War seemed “a strange kind of chaos”. And that was how he chose to write about it, in a collection of memoirs that were a mixture of fact and fiction but always unmistakably potty.

The stage version of Adolf Hitler My Part in His Downfall is based on the first four, charting his army experience from conscription to finding himself in hospital with “battle fatigue”.

His story is told through a series of songs, comic sketches and monologues linked together within the framework of a barracks talent evening.

It’s as apparently undisciplined as the books but, like them, weaves a narrative about comradery, the importance of humour in hard times and the incredible healing power of a cup of tea.

Hours of watching Goons DVDs paid off for Sholto Morgan, who goofed his way through the part of Spike, demonstrating an impressive range of facial expressions.

But the moments when Milligan struggles to cope with the reality of war are by contrast told through silence and a lack of capering rather than great acting.

Morgan is backed up by a strong supporting cast and talented team of musicians as the Boys of Battery D.

And Liverpool gets a name-check as the future comedian watches the city under attack as his ship leaves the River Mersey for North Africa.

There’s a versatile set, with portable sandbag defences, a hole for Milligan to stand inside while on duty (made of two tables and a camouflage net) and an ingenious pair of vertical hospital beds that double up as Hitler and Goebels in seaside postcard fashion.

It’s a fine adaptation by Ben Power and Tim Carroll, with almost too many gags to keep up with.