Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

To put on a show that few people know can be a risky business but Kentish Players' gamble, I hope, has paid dividends. The show is funny, full of catchy songs and a choreographers delight. Set in the French Riviera where casino culture is rife, the twisting and turning tale of decadence and deception includes kidnap, romance and faked paralysis. It is based on the 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, the musical had its Broadway première in 2005.

The show has five main principals plus a delightful cameo performance by Rosie Bass as Jolene Oakes. Much depends on the quality of the quintet however. The two conmen, played by Ben Smyth as Lawrence Jameson and Charlie Grant as Freddy Benson were excellent and sparked off each other throughout as they try to outdo one another when it comes to getting money out of wealthy women. Claire Knapman as Christine Colgate is the perfect foil as the ‘little innocent’ American heiress, who becomes the target for the conniving duo. Richard Howard as policeman Andre Thibault, Lawrence’s bodyguard, and Estelle Burfoot-Reed as Muriel Eubanks lent much to the success of this production with two very fine performances. There isn’t a great deal for the chorus but having said that, it shows great direction when they are all given a part to play whether it be nuns, hotel staff or sailors. Along with some excellent dancers they do add colour and support to the show as did the fine (sometimes loud) band under the direction of Siobhan Link. There are no well known numbers in the show but the music is catchy enough and was well sung by the principals. Back projection provided an insight to the different scenes together with good lighting (apart from when the audience get the lights in their eyes!). Numerous costumes were good – even the shoes Gordon!

Director Jimmy Marabello-Weighell and Choreographer Caroline Ferguson must have been equally delighted and proud of what they achieved between them. The best musicals make you wish you could get up and join in, pity there were not more in the audience to appreciate it. It was a blast!

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