What links together a series of sketches about two gay parents, an unhappy holidaying duo and an old couple's search for Viagra? Precious little, if you ask me, but apparently these scenes all explore 'the circle of life'. Woven in between these tired scenarios are a smattering of songs by David Martin, of which only one – 'Can't Smile Without You' – makes a lasting impression.
Carolyn Pertwee's new musical is made still more clunky by a horribly wooden framing device, which sees two theatre ghosts observe the entire show. As one spectre Clare Buckfield is supposedly the star attraction, yet she spends much of the production watching from the wings.
The other main draw is Gary Wilmot (as the other ghost) but he cuts loose only once, during a cringeworthy Elvis impersonation. Elsewhere Julie Jupp rises above the mediocre material, her voice warm as a cuddle. Despite an abundance of flashing neon lights, there's little director Andrew C Wadsworth can do to energise this limp production.