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Shakespeare it most certainly isn’t but what this production of Dirty Dusting, which is currently running at The Epstein Theatre, provides by the bucket load is laughs.
With stalwarts of comedy acting like Crissy Rock (Elsie), Leah Bell (Gladys) and Dolores Porretta (Olive) at the helm of a sex chatline they’ve set up to stave off the threat of redundancy instigated by their cruel, disrespectful boss Lee Branningan (David), this shouldn’t come as any surprise, but what is refreshing is the gusto with which they dish up the action.
What also helps is that the script has clearly been redefined under Bell’s direction, so that there is a lot less of the often unnecessary swearing of the original – although don’t be fooled into thinking that it is completely expletive free – which makes the whole thing smoother, more natural and altogether more enjoyable.
As are the visual gags the kind of which the Carry On franchise thrived on for 40+ years, which although almost stereotypically obvious nevertheless continue to bring guffaws of delight once seen.
This is never more the case when David meets his final dénouement, which is almost guaranteed to have audiences giggling and cringing in utter delight.
So, not Shakespeare by any shot but then again – let’s be fair – there aren’t a whole load of belly laughs in many of his comedies and what Dirty Dusting ultimately provides is exactly what it says on the tin: Carry On Irreverence delivered with aplomb.
Dirty Dusting
Epstein Theatre
October 12 – October 17
Authors: Ed Waugh & Trevor Wood
Director: Leah Bell
Cast: Crissy Rock, Leah Bell, Dolores Porretta, Lee Brannigan
Running Time: 2 Hours.
PR Rating: **** Scrubs Up Nicely