The Quentin Dentin Show – Above the Arts Theatre

The Quentin Dentin Show continues at Above the Arts Theatre, London. Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic

The Quentin Dentin Show continues at Above the Arts Theatre, London until 28 May.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

If you find yourself in the centre of London late in the evening then head for the Above the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street and treat yourself to 70 minutes of camp madness watching The Quentin Dentin Show.

This rock musical, which started its development at the National Theatre Studio and is supported by The Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, was a big hit at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Now reworked, it is back in town for a limited run.

Entering the auditorium, the audience members are greeted by robotic, doll-like friends (Felix Denton and Lydia Costello) welcoming you into their world, the atmosphere enhanced by the onstage, shade-wearing three-piece band (Henry Carpenter, Mickey Howard and Archie Wolfman). The lights dim, a booming voice (Freddie Fullerton) from above announces one friend is to be promoted and The Quentin Dentin Show is born.

Nat, played by Shauna Riley, and Keith (Jamie Tibke) are a young couple with their lives ahead of them. Nat works in pharmaceuticals, has ambition, and clearly wants more from life; whereas Keith, a wouldbe writer, needs a sharp kick up the backside to get motivated.

Their relationship is clearly on rocky ground. When Nat flounces out of the flat in search of her friends, Keith idly plays with the radio and – in a flash – has conjured up the supernatural, rather ambiguous therapist Quentin Dentin, played by the charming and handsome Luke Lane.

Quentin is on a mission and has every intention of succeeding in his task by fair means or foul. Just what have Nat and Keith signed up for and will this therapy help them achieve more and improve their lives together?

Although Quentin is very much the star of this piece, the young, energetic company – including the fabulous band – works brilliantly. Costello is particularly watchable as Friend 2. Some of the cast members are not strong singers, but Lane has a great voice, which is just as well because Quentin never stops singing. The undertones are wonderfully sinister; the script is funny and the show slick.  The music certainly foot-tapping material.

Obviously influenced by The Rocky Horror Show, this musical will in time build up a cult following – it deserves to. It is great that the creatives continue to work on its development. Now it needs to grow into a full-length production with a slightly larger cast. That is something to look forward to.

Carpenter, who worked closely with producer Hannah Elsy, wrote the book, music and lyrics and also displays his vocal talents during the show. A highlight is Howard’s guitar solo. The songs are catchy and clear – you can actually hear every lyric.

Caldonia Walton has done a good job as director and choreographer, with effective lighting by Lara Davidson.

Yvonne I’Anson

www.hannahelsy.com/the-quentin-dentin-show