Dick Barton The Tango of Terror, is the must-see'

production at Croydon's The Warehouse Theatre until February 3, writes Christine van Emst .

Writer Phil Wilmot has done it again and come up with a cracking plot, madcap characters and a quicker, slicker Dick than ever!

At 35, Mr Wilmot is hardly of an age to recall evenings glued to the wireless, listening to Dick Barton Secret Agent.

"They are only a dim memory for me, but my older brother was rooted to the spot for each exciting episode" he says.

But in the Tango of Terror, the stiff upper-lip spoofing and the plain daft combine in a show that echoes Monty Python.

There's not one weak spot, not a line or note missed, and superb acting from the entire cast. George Asprey as Dick Barton, Kit Benjamin as the BBC announcer, Kate Pinell as Daphne Fritters and Darrell Brockis as Jock Anderson all do well.

Duncan Wiseby goves a stirring performance as Colonel Gardener and Juan El Bigglesworth is a great, swarthy Love Thug.

But Joanna Brookes' as Mrs Horrocks is the HQ's housekeeper with some of the best one liners in the play.

Ms Brookes had us roaring with laughter, and her split-second delivery is the thing comedy is made of.

Tickets are selling fast and you can order food from the menu. However, I would say don't bother eating. The people in front of us were so wrapped up in the proceedings that the food, unlike the plot and pace, got cold.

For further informatin and to book tickets and reserve a table call the box office on 020 8680 4060.

December 19, 2001 17:44