BWW Reviews: DICK! COMES AGAIN: BIGGER, LONGER, HARDER!, Leicester Square Theatre, November 28 2013

The first line of the cast list reads, "The Very Miss Dusty 'O' as Sofonda Cox"... and my work is done.

Actually, that would be unfair, as 12 months on from when last I saw them, the gang (with some new faces, bigger codpieces and bigger boobs) are back with an updated Dick! full of all that was naughty and all that was nice about its last appearance. And they've even spent a bit more money - though not much more.

So with just some dry ice, some very esoteric props and not a soap star or reality TV sensation playing out the last of their fifteen minutes of fame in sight, the old-fashioned virtues of acting, clowning and joking must carry the day. And, with writer/director Stuart Saint (no saint he, I can tell you!) packing in more laughs per minute than even last year's helter skelter show managed, Dick! 2013 is er... up for the challenge.

The well-worn tale is little more than a jumping off point for dirty jokes, dodgy dancing and (I must warn you) audience participation held just short of being too cruel. Lording (Ladying?) it over proceedings is Soho legend, Miss Dusty 'O', whose divine (some might say Divine) presence provides a sardonic commentary on the mayhem all around her. She gets fine support from actors who know panto is about fun for them as much as it is for us and ad lib whenever opportunity pops up. The girls (Laura Hyde, Paula Masterton and Laura Curnick) get their fair share of laughs, but also belt out plenty of numbers very impressively - Babs and Donna had better watch their backs! The lads' (Dave Bibby and Nick Read) parts are still a bit underwritten - but, hey, this isn't Chekhov!

It's raucous, good natured fun with plenty of swearing and reference to somewhat outre sexual practices, but nothing truly offensive and very few lines falling flat (when they do, we've another laugh right behind it). Dick! in its second er... coming is as much fun as last time and may well find itself becoming a bit of a tradition at this venue. Oh and don't forget that when Dave the Cat turns up, we all shout "F.." (snip - Ed).

Dick! Comes Again:Bigger, Longer, Harder! continues at the Leicester Square Theatre until 19 January

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