Theatre Review: Basil Brush, Pacific Road Arts Centre

Feb 18 2008 by Peter Grant, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Daily Post has caught up with a TV legend – a fox on the run. Basil Brush is celebrating more than 30 years at the top, with his television shows now being screened in 60 countries.

His latest swash- buckling production, though, is on stage and reaches new (Johnny) Depps – sorry, it’s catching.

The two-hour show is a polished panto with respect for kids and grown-ups alike and it works magically on both levels.

Set in 1618 (which I think is nearly twenty- past four), the ghostly tale tells of Captain Jack Black Hat, who stole the Golden Jelly Baby on the isle of Coco Loco. (Eat your heart out, Spielberg.)

It is Cap'n Basil’s mission to reclaim it by venturing out on the HMS Boom Boom!

With him, he has a fine crew. There’s amiable first mate Skipper To-Da- Loo, played by the TV presenter simply called Tucker.

   And there are fine acrobats in the form of the Crazy Crew D4 Troupe, acrobats who originate from Hungary and left the kids spellbound with dazzling trapeze work.

Also aiding BB in two sell-out performances were the Cheeky Monkeys and the Jungle Rockers – likeable characters dressed in fluorescent suits who danced and sang and encouraged audience participation.

    When Basil asked for volunteers, a sea of hands went up. I was told to put mine down.

 Basil’s up and down the countryside in the final leg of this nationwide theatre tour and you can tell the audience is loving it as much as the cast with some great ad-libbing going on.

    There’s also a good lesson in the affordable fun-filled theatre programme with a history of BB, bad gags aplenty and games at just a £1.

A wily fox is our Basil. His jokes always run thick and fast.

"How do you make a Mexican Chilli?" he asks. "Send him to Alaska! Boom boom!"

Fur’s fur, he is the undoubted master of the one-liner.

 The good news is this quick orange fox is very funny and topical and setting sail on a brand new new musical for September.