Review: And The Horse You Rode In On

[dutchman]

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Saturday. Running time 1hr 40mins.



The department store of Grace Bros has been given a pink makeover, Mrs Slocombe is talking German and Mr Humphries is still free.

Told By An Idiot take the absurd and wonderful to new levels of comedy with their tale of terrorists intent on causing mayhem at a certain well-known department store.

Throw meerkats, Louis IV and a music-loving troupe of acrobats into the mix and the five-strong cast happily welcome audiences into a world where anything can happen.

They are not above the odd fart joke and visual gag, and the local corner shop offers fish and crystal meth. “It really picks you up,” says a shopper while asking if there is money back if she returns the bottle.

Annie Fitzmaurice, Bettrys Jones, Jane Guernier and Martin Hyder pop up in all sorts of guises and there are famous references galore from Hitchcock and Psycho to corny club comics and a certain cartoon rabbit.

Captain Peacock even leads a song and dance routine for all the staff as part of birthday celebrations.

In the words of the young Mr Grace: “You’ve all done very well.”

Rating * * * *

Review by Marion McMullen