Pros From Dover

Note: This review is from 2008

Review by Steve Bennett

The Pros From Dover deliver an hour of Pythonesque comedy, which is carefully constructed and well written. A sketch show encompassing diverse scenarios which sometimes teeter of the edge of offence, but never quite have the balls to rush headlong into audience sensibilities.

We meet the late Richard Burton; brisk, plummy and accusatory, mid- interrogation in a pastiche of the Fifties war movies. View the downward spiral of crime that can ensue when someone begins to copy CDs. We see the terrible unforeseen consequences of a botched burglary. There is a little discomfort though in the one about the victim of a car crash, holding a bouquet and apparently giving a press conference in a hospital gown. These are carefully crafted pieces, coming swiftly to the gag and delivering the ripples of laughter the audience has come for.

It’s light and cheery, and the hour glides by entertainingly and with reasonable speed. Though each sketch flows into the next, none really sparkle, and one or two could have been lost without detriment to the whole.

Assured performances from Phil Whelans and Richard Glover carry the thing well, and though Paul Litchfield always seems to be trying a little too hard, the overall impression is that of a competently directed, tight little show.



It trundles along in a most professional manner, surreal amiable and sometimes funny. Not a life-changing piece, but an entertaining, clever sketch show which gives at least two of the performers a vehicle for their talents.

Reviewed by: Chloe Smith

Review date: 1 Jan 2008
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett

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