This lumbering musical by first time composer Robert A Gray (who wrote the book, music and lyrics) tells the story of Pilot Officer Ripley (Cate Debenham-Taylor).
She arrives at a small RAF base only to find that she's travelled back in time to 1957. What's more, the whole base has been miniaturised and is under the control of an obstreperous toddler who happens to be an alien.
Gray's main claim to fame seems to be that he once contributed sketches to The Two Ronnies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his book is firmly stuck in a sort of 1970s 'light-entertainment' mode of comedy - which might be fine, except that even on those terms, it's just not funny.
Despite the best attempts of a generally good cast, his lame gags stagger past at the speed of old nags on their way to the knacker's yard. And he's not rigorous enough in maintaining the logic necessary to hold all the silliness together.
The music is better, however. He has an ear for pastiche and a couple of the numbers are quite toe-tapping. And although the no-longer youthful Wayne Sleep can't act for toffee as the station adjutant, he still turns on the charm in his routines. But it's not enough to rescue an otherwise flat-footed show. Thin air? Lead balloon, I'm afraid.
Until Sep 24, New Players Theatre, Under The Arches, Villiers Street WC2, Tue to Sat 7.45pm, Wed and Sat mats 3.30pm, £19.50 to £25, £15.50 to £21 concs. Tel: 0870 033 2626. Tube: Charing Cross/Embankment
Into Thin Air!
