Although this variety show rattles along at the effervescent rate one has grown to expect from this Torbay venue, the comedy input initially seems a little sluggish.
Some of the one-liners fall short of the mark, eliciting the sort of I-geddit groan usually reserved for the Christmas cracker.
It isn’t until after the interval that the real belly laughs begin to roll, and the hilarity hits those anticipated heights. Tank Sherman’s cheeky take on Lloyd Webber’s classics as “Wee Andy” is inspired. Kilt-clad and wearing an impish expression, he romps through a compilation of West End hits, delivering them with a north of the border swagger worthy of a Glaswegian knees-up.
Magician Peter Baffles brings much engaging humour to his act while Phil Blackmore cleverly builds up the sense of danger in his complicated juggling trick with sabre and knives - performed while balancing on a box precariously placed on a metal tube. More dynamic stunts come with a unicycle and illuminated clubs in what gives excellent added scope to the show’s variety.
A Thunderbirds sketch is a highlight with Sherman and Baffles joined by Allan Roberts and Lindsey Collard in a skit on this famous TV puppet show. Chaos ensues on Tracy Island with Virgil, Brains, Parker and Lady Penelope, all with strings attached, singing Fly Me To The Moon.
Musically this show is a Babbacombe best with a full company visit to Zorro the Musical, and Collard’s fine vocal tribute to the Carpenters.
Georgia Lee’s choreography sizzles on stage, delivered by a strong troupe of dancers - with Jarrad Pearce a particular talent with his powerful stage presence as both a singer and dancer.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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