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Was she pushed, did she jump, or did she fall? This is what we’re in the studio space of the St. James Theatre to find out, in this incredibly silly show. The opening number shows us a bedraggled-looking woman on a window ledge. Lieutenant Wheeler is trying to coax her down, but with a blackout, a scream and a crash, she’s dead.
From the team behind the Rocky Horror Show, including Richard O’Brien – host of everyone’s favourite crystal-based game – this musical was originally conceived in the '80s, and it kind of has the taste level of that decade's pop culture. Which means that how much you’ll enjoy it depends very much on your appetite for the crass. If you’re looking for subtlety and character development, then look away now – this is a knowingly daft show with its tongue firmly in its cheek. Billing itself as ‘sexy’, it really isn’t. Cringeworthy lyrics like ‘You give me a hard-on’ are far from sexy, but they can be very funny.
Pervy Lieutenant Weeler – played terrifically by Sebastien Tonika – is on stage pretty much throughout, either embroiled in the action, or addressing the audience from beneath a full-moon spotlight (he must be completely knackered by the end). These asides to the audience, in addition to the frisking you get on the way in, means that you are very much involved with what’s going on.
There are some brilliant performances from the rest of the cast, who romp their way through multiple parts each. Michael Steedon’s turn as Jacob Arkwright is wonderfully creepy, and Gloria Onitiri’s voice is goosepimple-inducingly great. It’s a dinky stage but the choreography makes good use of it, and the cabaret style seating suits the early 60s setting of the show.
Go and enjoy the unadulterated silliness – just don’t, whatever you do, search for a meaning to it all.