Round The Horne hits West End

A stage show based on the classic radio series Round The Horne is to open in London's West End next month.

The new production uses two scripts from the Sixties series, plus previously unheard material.

It opens at The Venue, formerly the home of Boy George's musical Taboo, on January 22.

The original starred Kenneth Horne, Kenneth Williams, Hugh Paddick, Betty Marsden and Douglas Smith and was renowned for its cunning double entendres at a time when radio was very heavily censored. Writers Barry Took and Marty Feldman even relied on the use of obscure gay slang Polari, with words like 'vada' for see and 'eek' for face, for effect.

Many of the classic characters have been revived for the 90-minute stage show, including Julian and Sandy, Dame Celia Molestrangler, J. Peasmold Gruntfuttock and Rambling Sid Rumpo.

The original scripts have been adapted by Brian Cooke, who worked on the fourth and final series of the original radio show following Feldman's departure.

It transfers to the West End on January 13, with opening night on January 22, following a successful run at south London's White Bear Theatre.

Call 0870 899 3335 for tickets, priced £15 to £25.

Published: 19 Dec 2003