Comedy singing group featuring DK, Tina, 'Not Paula' and Dave Green

Bay Citee Molars in Dentura Highway at the 2010 Brighton Fringe
Live Review
Brighton Upstairs At Three and Ten

It’s not that often you feel sorry for dentists. But this comedy-music group drawn from the profession almost outnumber the audience in this lunchtime Fringe show – and it makes for an awkward atmosphere.

They are not ready to deviate from the script either, so they go through their warm-ups of practice whoops and hollers, then later try to entice the six-strong audience into some silly participation, despite how self-conscious it makes both punters and performers feel.

But when we’re left to our passive enjoyment, this talented quartet – plus an accomplice to prompt audience reaction – demonstrate some impressive close-harmony singing, even if the comedy element is limited.

Had you wanted a suave, senior medical figure, Central Casting couldn’t have sent anyone more suitable than lead singer DK Molarr. Behind his awful punny alias, he’s the epitome of the well-spoken consultant, with an inherently reassuring chair-side manner which he puts to good use in charming the audience.

Pitch-perfect backing vocals are supplied by the beautiful Nina, with a voice to match her stunning appearance, and her blonde, slightly kookier, partner-in-harmony, Tina; while Dave Green provides guitar and the fourth voice, as well as a break from the all-dental line-up, being a gardener.

Ah yes, the dental theme. You might think there are only so many comedy songs you can do abut dentistry, and you’d be right. Once you’ve done the obligatory ‘oral’ double entendre, you’re pretty much done, though the Bay Citee Molars do manage to string the mouth-based wordplay out over several songs, however thinly.

There’s something very old-fashioned about their work; not just in the style of music they choose to perform, but in the cosy lyrics and the well-drilled (sorry) professionalism. Their show, which is sweetly light-heated rather than outright hilarious, wouldn’t be out of place in a Fifties Oxbridge common room.

Surely aware of the limitations of their gimmick, the foursome do undertake some songs away from the dental-based theme; a Beach Boys-style surfing song being the most impressive; while they add a level of composed silliness by frequently accompanying themselves on kazoo. Turns out, they’re adept at this, too.

Musically very strong, Bay Citee Molars would make an entertaining turn in a cabaret bill, although over a full show, and in a very quiet room, their limitations are exposed. But they remain sweetly enjoyable. Trust me, this won’t hurt at all…

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