'Debbie Does Dallas' opened to what I had assumed would be very nearly a full house. The small, locker room set on stage allowed limited space for the five girls and three boys that arrived on stage in song and dance to introduce the performance.

The atmosphere within the audience was that of anticipation before the production started. We expected to be provided with comedy, entertainment and fun, and this we were, alongside never-ending simulating sex scenes and sexual innuendoes. The play, which was apparently based on a Seventies porn movie of the same title, was very much a modern day 'Grease' the musical.

Set within a locker room background to begin with, Debbie (Marianne Benedict) dreams of becoming a successful cheerleader with the Dallas Cowgirls. We are soon introduced to the rest of her entourage, a mixture of attractive, 'well endowed' young girls who want to help Debbie accomplish her aspiration. All of the five girls in this production were highly commendable in both their acting and singing. Their portrayal of a group of typical dumb blonde friends caused much hilarity for the audience, and was consistent throughout the duration of the performance.

The male characters, although amusing, were not given much opportunity to display singing and acting skills like the females. Their typical immature male attitudes towards girls and sex were represented in a humorous style and they certainly kept the audience amused throughout.

Debbie and her friends club together to create 'Teen Services', in order to work and raise money to send Debbie to Dallas. The girls are frequently taken advantage of during their time in employment, but feel that as long as they are raising money for a good cause, prostituting themselves and providing sexual favours are acceptable.

When Debbie finally leaves her home town having illegitimately made all the money she needs, Kevin, one of the male cast, quite randomly decides that he now wants to be 'Lulu' and replaces Debbie in her group of friends, in full cheerleading outfit. The song and dance sequence that follows Kevin's shock announcement is fantastic and was one of the most hilarious scenes of the performance.

At the beginning of the show, we were told that this play was only performed 'in part', as part of rehearsal productions for the West End Show. This became obvious during the play, as due to the limited amount of props, lighting and space within the Old Fire Station, the show was wasted in such circumstances. The show would make a great West End production, as the talent of the actors and actresses, particularly where the strength of their singing is concerned, was to be admired.

This show is a sex-filled American comedy with no morals, immature humour and bad language throughout. It is, however, great entertainment, fun to watch and you are certain to leave having had a good time. Not for the faint-hearted, but thoroughly enjoyable for others!

Laura Oultram, 11 March, 2005