Yesterday, went to see the latest production from Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding – known collectively as Lip Service. This year’s offering takes its cue from Oscar Wilde’s A Picture of Dorian Gray. All the usual Lip Service trademarks are present and correct – the minimalist set is the butt of many of the jokes, the ageist humour is in full flow and the facial mugging and eyebrow rolling are as silly and endearing as ever.
What was mildly disappointing on this occasion was the quality of the writing – no-where near as sharp as the previous outings from this very funny duo. The first half in particular dragged a little, although it was definitely rescued near the end by a skit showcasing some of the world’s most famous paintings being ‘physically represented’ in the duo’s inimitable style. The second half was tighter but still not up to the previous parodies that we’ve seen in the past. Even so, always welcome and long may they continue.