The League of Gentlemen's second stage tour has the feel of the fringe theatres where they developed their famous TV series. Stage sets seem to have been knocked up in a dark Royston Vasey workshop (naturally, one of them tumbles, "killing" one of the characters) and Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Mark Gattis change costumes more times than the pervy Herr Lipp character goes through other people's underpants.
It's not until the second half that the cheers come as the stage sets mock up the macabre fictional village's murderous butcher's shop and out trots Pauline the "dole scum"- hating Restart officer, and ringmaster-abductor Papa Lazarou.
If it's been forgotten that the Royston legend was sculpted from real northern life the point is remade with references to the likes of Chumbawamba and "Udders feeled". The trio are at their best when humour, horror and reality blur - the fiendish joke-shop assistant sketch was after all inspired by a notorious 1970s Leeds establishment.
However, considering that they redefined television comedy in the 90s, it's disappointing that the show plays safe with toilet humour, pantomime gags ("He's behind you!") and old school caustic northern comedy. Pauline ("Are you having a nice time? Tell your face won't you?") could be Bernard Manning in drag, and even the old Alan Partridge "Smell my cheese" line is wheeled out.
The finest treats are visual - the naked suits, audience member Sharon investigating a cow's behind, and there are some swipes at political correctness. But risqué one-liners can't disguise the dearth of interesting new characters or memorable sketches.
· At Futurist Theatre, Scarborough tonight. Box office: 01723 374500. Then touring.
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