This is one of two New York musicals that appeared in 2000 based on a famous narrative poem by Joseph Moncure March about prohibition era profligacy. Goodness knows what the other one was like, but Andrew Lippa's version emerges as musically and lyrically banal and is redeemed only by the sexy dancing of its 18-strong, young British cast.
March's poem was inspired by a notorious Hollywood shindig that led to ruinous accusations of manslaughter against the silent comedian Fatty Arbuckle. Here this becomes the Manhattan-based story of a louche dancer and her vaudevillian beau ("The only thing they had in common was that they were so good in bed") who decide to organise a rout of their own. Since their guests include a famous pugilist, a gay composing team, a flamboyant lesbian and a seductive minor, it is no vicarage tea-party; although trouble, when it finally comes, stems from the hosts' decision to pair off with other partners.
What is missing from Lippa's music is any sense of period. The score shops around among a variety of styles but rarely captures the tart, jazzy sound of the American 1920s. The lyrics, when you can hear them, also frequently lapse into a woozy romanticism on the lines of "when you cry, I will hold you". Even the attempt by the composing guests to liven things up with extracts from their upcoming biblical musical suggests we are in the Godspell-era rather than the roaring 20s.
Far and away the best thing about the evening is Andrew Graham-Watkins's choreography. Clearly influenced by Bob Fosse, he makes good use of angled hands, jutting bums and pelvic thrusts, and creates a highly stylised orgy to the music of Come With Me. Even if there are no great voices on display, the young cast perform with attractive skill. Amanda Liberman is a model of disciplined movement as the besuited lesbian, Kira Lauren squawks amusingly as the boxer's doxy and Heather Panton is all suspendered suffering as the hapless hostess. Director David Dorrian, a former theologian, marshals his cast well but it's an evening for ageing voyeurs rather than musical connoisseurs.
· Until August 7. Box office: 020-8237 1111.
