Featured image: Ellen Greene (left) as The Princess and Peter Duncan as Prince Haydn. Photographer: Marilyn Kingwill. Courtesy of Kevin Wilson PR.
Rating: ***
When celebrated writer Bailey Howard (Benedict Salter) gets writer’s block on a book he was already supposed to have written, things seem pretty desperate. But when flamboyant and camp new roommate Cooper Fitzgerald (Steven Web) arrives unannounced, so does a mysterious key and a strange door. Unwittingly, their curiosity plunges them into a magical alternative universe, where a pregnant princess’s (Ellen Greene) claim to the throne is threatened by an evil curse. In order to save the princess from her demise and to restore the balance between the two worlds, Bailey and Cooper must undertake a quest to seek out a fading daytime TV star Haydn Prince (Peter Duncan) who is trapped in the fantasy world with them.
Betwixt! is an example of some Class A comic writing from writer-director Ian McFarlane. The dialogue is sitcom-like, rife with sharp one-liners and incredibly funny banter, spinning jokes through some meticulous character writing. Bailey and Cooper are strong central characters, making an impeccably formidable double-act and driving the laughs throughout the show. McFarlane also creates some hilariously bizarre characters that add further laughs to the quick-fire lines. Joan the cross-dressing mute, brilliantly delivered by Will Hawksworth, is undoubtedly one of the funniest and achingly memorable characters outside of the lead.
Salter and Webb each have an impeccable sense of comedic timing as well as being all-round accomplished performers and singers, making them thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Greene, in her anticipated return to the London stage, doesn’t disappoint either, delivering a show-stopping performance – especially in her double role as the Evil Enchantress.
Yet there are times when the comedy is just a little too over-the-top. Moments such as ‘The Problem Solving Dance’ are just a little too bewildering to raise much of a titter. And while there are plenty of good jokes shared among the cast, Cooper walks away with the bulk of the best lines and laughs creating a noticeable imbalance in the comedy. Another jarring aspect of the show is its attempt to marry the ridiculous with the sincere. Numbers such as ‘Eyes of A Child’ and ‘Between’ are incredibly well written, profound, and affecting songs. Although brilliant pieces in their own right, they feel a little out of place as their sentiment clashes against the show’s overall shamelessly silly tone.
Betwixt! may be noticeably rough around the edges and still feels very much like the Fringe production it began as despite its transfer. Though it might be far from being a polished piece of theatre, it is undoubtedly one of the funniest shows currently playing in the West End and is guaranteed to have your bellowing with laughter. A hilarious execution of a great little comic musical with a fantastic cast, this is the perfect spell to banish even the gloomiest of glooms.
Betwixt! plays at the Trafalgar Studios, London, SW1A, until 10 September 2011. Tickets are £25 (concessions £20). To book call 0844 871 7627 or visit www.atgtickets.com.
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