The Sound Of Laughter, The Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne, Tues and Weds until Nov 4 (From The Argus)

The Sound Of Laughter, The Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne, Tues and Weds until Nov 4

12:36pm Wednesday 15th April 2009 in News By Tony Flood

Dean Winters, billed as a little man with a big personality, ensures The Sound Of Laughter lives up to its name.

The cheeky gagster holds the show together by popping up to charm the audience with his saucy stories and pleasing singing voice.

Gary Richard, another diminutive funny man and singer, underlines that good things come in small packages. His zany, camp humour dovetails well with that of Winters.

Ben Nickless and Wayne Champagne also prove to be bubbly, versatile performers in this lively new Matthews Productions presentation, which runs for 33 weeks.

But some of Nickless’ impersonations need more work, and Champagne should either improve his comedy routines or concentrate more on his singing.

Vocalists Georgia Lee – also choreographer and co-director with Colin Matthews – and Zoe Lee provide entertaining song and dance routines, including a great Carpenters medley. But some of their song choices could have been better.

Leggy dancers Hayley Kember, Jo-Anna Pitt and Donna Pitt perform with enthusiasm and add a touch of glamour.