Debbie Does Dallas - The Musical

Source: The List (Issue 584)
Date: 23 August 2007
Written by: Allan Radcliffe

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Ropey parody of famous 70s softcore porn

There’s a very fine line between a send-up of a ropey cultural item and something that’s just plain ropey. Almost from its shrill opening bars it becomes crystal clear that Debbie Does Dallas – The Musical has crossed the line.

The fundamental problem is that parody only really works if the thing that’s being lampooned took itself seriously in the first place. A kitsch 70s porn about a girl from the sticks who rides into town and rides the local football team is hardly lacking a sense of humour. That the producers of this ear-bleeding slice of musical theatre have succeeded in extracting whatever wit the original might have possessed is a pretty extraordinary feat.

Admittedly the shiny, smiley cast clearly believe in this production, shouting their lines at high decibels, despite being equipped with mikes, and throwing themselves into the dance routines with pompom-flapping gusto. But the songs are uniformly unmemorable and the script is witless, with the major proportion of the humour being derived from increasngly spurious euphemisms for women’s genitals, while dealing with sex in the kind of coy, prurient manner that evokes children rubbing Barbie and Ken dolls together. (Allan Radcliffe)

UdderBELLY’s Pasture, 0870 745 3083, until 27 Aug, 5.45pm, £12.50–£14 (£10.50–£12.50).

More: Debbie Does Dallas - The Musical, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Fringe (Edinburgh Festivals), Reviews (Theatre), Musicals (Theatre)

Last updated: 25 Jul 2008 17:14 BST