“The need for a father is as crucial as the need for a child. Happy the man who finds both!” Just one of the many wise statements quoted by Don Maclean & Malc Stent as they examine their roles, first as sons then as fathers.

As small boys they were threatened not ‘by’ their fathers but ‘with’ their fathers

“Just you wait till your father gets home.”

“If you don’t get to sleep, your father’ll be up there with the strap.”

Their Dads didn’t protect them from childish fears;

“Dad, there’s a monster in my wardrobe.”

“Open the door & let him eat you up.”

They didn’t pander to their sons’ dietary preferences;

“Just eat your vegetables or I’ll shoot the dog.”

Despite that they survived & grew up each wanting to be just like their own dad. Sadly, by the time a man realises that his father was always right, he’s acquired a son who thinks he’s always wrong but what kind of father you yourself become depends on the example of fatherhood given to you by your own dad & so the second part of the show explores ‘our duo’ as dads themselves.

The very first Father had trouble with his kids. He said ‘don’t’ but they still ate the apple. Adam & Eve’s punishment was to have children of their own. Don & Malc each have one daughter & one son. They explore why people have children:

“We had a baby for the same reason Napoleon invaded Russia – it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

They try to understand teenagers:

“Seeing you teenage daughter being collected by her date is like handing over a Stradivarius to a gorilla.”

They ponder the increasing problem of adult children:

“Do you realise that humans are the only animals who allow their young to come back home?”

With songs by Harvey Andrews, ‘Wait Till Your Father Gets Home ’ promises to exercise the chuckle muscles & bring a tear to the eye of anyone who’s ever had a dad or been a dad or even been in the same house as a dad.